What is Anterior Cruciate Ligament?
There are many types of injuries and a tear or sprain to knee joints, the Anterior Cruciate Ligament is one of them most commonly injured. When ACL gets hurt, the knee fails to function at its best, thus we need surgery to treat the issue. Mostly players involved in high-intensity sports are most common victim of ACL injuries. Surgery is the last resort to treat the problem and bring the knee to its optimum best.
Types of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
There is a grading system for the injured ligaments, and this system works on severity scale.
•Grade 1 Sprains: - When only a mild damage has happened to the ligament. • Grade 2 Sprains: - This stage is also known as the partial tear of the ligament. • Grade 3 Sprains: This is the complete tear of the ligament.
Sign and symptoms of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury
In our daily life work, there are chances to bring injury to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament in many ways. The injury can happen when we change the direction in a sudden way, or when we stop in an abrupt way.
The injury can also happen when we get slow after a quick run, or fail to land correctly after a jump. In all such cases, there is a chance to get the injury to the ACL.
There are many signs when one knows that the ACL has got injured, like: • A popping noise is heard • Pain is experienced • Swelling is visible • The motion would be restricted • You feel ache in the walk
Treatment of Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Surgery is an ideal situation for athletic type of patients with torn ACL, as they need to be very active. For the rest, strengthening program is a good option where the injury is least likely to restrict the daily acts and activities.
In the surgery, an arthroscope is used through small cuts and the surgery procedure is not invasive. A reconstruction of the ligament has to be done to repair the ACL with surgery. During the process, the torn ligament will be replaced with a tissue graft.
This way, not only the pain is kept at minimum but the patient is not required to stay longer in the hospital. More so, the patients can return to the normal activities within 4 to 6 months.