ACL Tear Diagnosis & Treatment in Chapin, SC
Jumping, landing, & turning require strong, stable kneesIn sports, there are few scenes more thrilling than watching an athlete soar. When two basketball players leap after a rebound or a downhill skier launches off a ramp, we’re moved to the edge of our seats. But what goes up must also come down, and forceful landings come with the risk of serious knee injury. At Palmetto Bone & Joint, we’ve helped countless athletes regain full mobility after ACL tears. The anterior cruciate ligament plays a pivotal role in knee strength, athletic performance, and the same kind of mid-air artistry enjoyed by professionals and amateurs alike. Ranging from minor sprains to a complete tear, no two ACL injuries are the same. To heal better and resume play faster, schedule your appointment today.
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Signs, Symptoms, & Treatments for ACL Tears
Your knees are situated at the crossroads of some of the most powerful forces in the body. Sandwiched between the two biggest bones (the thigh bone and shin bone) and buttressed by the largest muscles (quads and hamstrings), your knees are ground zero for lateral forces and the impacts associated with jumping and landing. When your ACL tears, loosens, or rips in half, you will feel it. Pain, instability, weakness, and swelling are the most immediate signs that something’s wrong.
At Palmetto Bone & Joint, we use the latest medical imaging techniques to see inside your knee. Afterward, we’ll know if you have a Grade 1, 2, or 3 ACL sprain. While Grade 1 sprains may resolve with rest and physical rehab, grades 2 and 3 benefit from targeted injections and progressive physical therapy. For the most severe ACL tears, reconstruction surgery may be the best and longest-lasting form of relief. Find a surgical or non-surgical treatment to repair your ACL at Palmetto Bone & Joint. Call today at (803) 941-8095 or contact us online!
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ACL Tear FAQs
ACL tears and sprains are separated by grade. There are three grades of ACL injuries, ordered by severity. Grade 1 involves overstretching the ligament without tearing it. Grade 2 occurs when the ligament loosens and partially tears. Finally, Grade 3 means that the ligament has been pulled off the bone or ripped drastically, sometimes in half. Naturally, the pain, swelling, and limited range of motion increases with each grade. Grade 1 tears may require rest and ice while Grade 3 tears require reconstruction surgery.
ACL tears differ by degrees. While minor ACL sprains benefit from RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation), moderate and severe ACL tears require professional diagnosis and treatment. To get back on your feet faster after an ACL injury of any kind, speak to a professional orthopedic specialist like those at Palmetto Bone & Joint.
Depending on the severity of your ACL injury, it may still be possible to bend and straighten your leg. That said, if you experience sharp or intense pain when moving the affected leg, you should seek professional medical assistance. Even if you can bend your leg, it may not be able to bear weight. At a minimum, plan for several days of rest. If symptoms persist, call your trusted local orthopedic specialist.