A torn ACL isn't typically a life-threatening emergency, but it is a serious injury that requires prompt medical evaluation (urgent care or doctor's office within 24-48 hours) for proper diagnosis and to prevent further damage, though you should go to the ER if you suspect other severe injuries like a dislocated joint or open fracture. Initial care involves RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation), and treatment varies from bracing and physical therapy to surgery, depending on the severity and activity level.

How urgent is an ACL tear?

All suspected ACL injuries require medical evaluation, but some symptoms need urgent care: Severe pain that doesn't improve with rest or pain relief. Inability to put weight on the injured leg. Visible knee deformity.

Should I go to urgent care for a torn ACL?

Yes, urgent care can diagnose a torn ligament in the knee. If you come in with swelling, instability, or pain after a twist or fall, our providers will examine your knee.

How to tell if an ACL is slightly torn?

Signs and symptoms of an ACL injury usually include:

1. A loud pop or a "popping" sensation in the knee.
2. Severe pain and inability to continue activity.
3. Rapid swelling.
4. Loss of range of motion.
5. A feeling of instability or "giving way" with weight bearing.

Do I need to go to the hospital for a torn ACL?

If you believe you are experiencing symptoms of an ACL tear, you should contact a health professional for immediate treatment. A torn ACL is painful and will likely require a sports medicine professional visit. Once there, the sports medicine specialist may perform various tests to determine if the ACL is torn.

What an ACL tear feels like

Is it bad to wait for ACL surgery?

Potential Risks of Delaying ACL Surgery

While immediate ACL surgery isn't necessary, delaying ACL surgery can have its risks. “One of the main concerns with delaying surgery is the potential for additional damage to the knee, especially tearing of the meniscus,” Dr. Cunningham cautions.

Where would you feel pain if you tore your ACL?

An ACL tear typically causes pain in the center of the knee, often described as deep, accompanied by sharp pain on the outside and back of the knee, especially when bending or straightening it, and a feeling that the knee might "give out". While the main pain is central, swelling often leads to discomfort at the back of the knee and reduced range of motion.
 

Can a fully torn ACL heal itself?

The short answer is no; a torn ACL cannot heal on its own because the ligament lacks the blood supply needed for regeneration. Unlike some tissues that have a high blood supply and can repair themselves, the ACL doesn't have the necessary resources to naturally reattach or heal itself once it is torn.

Should I go to the ER if I think I tore a ligament?

If you experience any of the following, you've most likely sustained a completely torn ligament and should make a trip to an orthopedic immediate care facility as soon as possible: An audible “pop” at the time of injury. Feeling tearing at the time of injury. Experiencing muscle spasms surrounding the injury site.

What are the three C's of knee injuries?

The 3 C's of the knee that can be torn in a sports injury are the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), and medial meniscus (MM). It's important to be cautious about potential injuries to these areas when engaging in sports.

What will a doctor do for a torn ACL?

During ACL reconstruction, the surgeon removes the damaged ligament and replaces it with a segment of tendon — tissue similar to a ligament that connects muscle to bone. This replacement tissue is called a graft. Your surgeon will use a piece of tendon from another part of your knee or a tendon from a deceased donor.

Should I go to urgent care if I think I tore my ACL?

As soon as you suspect you have a torn ACL, visit a doctor. At TRIA orthopedic urgent care, you can walk in for an appointment with an orthopedic specialist after an injury. We'll give you a diagnosis and start you on a treatment plan immediately so you can begin your recovery.

What does an ACL tear sound like?

Patients frequently describe an ACL tear as a distinct, loud pop, nearly like something snapped or shifted inside the knee. Some don't listen to it sincerely but sense something providing manner all of a sudden.

How rare is it to tear your ACL?

In the United States, approximately 1 in 3000 people tear their ACL each year. These injuries are very common in an athletic population such as soccer, basketball, and football.

Do ACL tears hurt immediately?

2. Immediate Pain and Swelling. An ACL tear can be extremely painful and pain typically sets in immediately. You may also notice swelling and discoloration, which typically get worse for a period of time before getting better.

What are three signs of an ACL tear?

Common ACL tear symptoms include:

• Feeling or hearing a pop in the knee.
• Severe pain, instability, and swelling in your knee.
• Being unable to bend and move your knee either fully or partially.
• Inability to stand up and hold your weight.

Will a cortisone shot help a torn ACL?

Do cortisone shots help a torn ACL? Yes, a cortisone injection can effectively decrease ACL injury symptoms like pain and swelling, which can help speed up the physical therapy rehabilitation and return to normal daily function.

Can you climb stairs with a torn ACL?

The short answer is yes. After the pain and swelling subsides and if there is no other injury to your knee, you may be able to walk in straight lines, go up and down stairs and even potentially jog in a straight line. The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is an important ligament that provides stability to the knee.

Why shouldn't you get surgery for a torn ACL?

There are obvious risks associated with having surgery – e.g. risk of infection or graft failure, which are avoided if you can manage your ACL injury without surgery. The rehabilitation period without surgery is quicker (usually about 3 months to return to sport) vs. after surgery (usually 6-12 months).

When is the best time to do ACL surgery?

Åhlén and colleagues20 found that patients who underwent reconstruction within 5 months of injury had better outcomes on the Lysholm Knee Questionnaire and Tegner Activity scale as compared to patients who waited at least 24 months to have surgery.

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