What is an ACL tear?

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is an injury to the ACL in the knee. 

This ligament is found in the front of your knee and connects your thighbone to your shinbone. The ACL provides stability to the knee joint and prevents the shinbone from rotating and sliding in front of the thighbone.

ACL tears are a common injury and may occur if you stop short, make a sudden change in direction, or land poorly after a jump. 

Ligament injuries are sprains, and the providers at Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine grade the sprain based on the severity of the injury.

Grade 1 sprain

With a grade 1 ACL tear, your ligament is only slightly stretched, and your knee joint remains stable.

Grade 2 sprain

A grade 2 ACL sprain means you have a partial tear in the connective tissue.

Grade 3 sprain

A grade 3 ACL sprain means you have a complete tear of the ligament.

Most ACL tears are grade 3 sprains.

What symptoms can I expect with an ACL tear?

You can expect immediate knee pain and a popping sensation when you tear your ACL. Swelling occurs immediately and may last 2-4 weeks. 

You can also expect knee tenderness and difficulty bearing weight on the injured knee. 

What happens during an ACL tear consultation?

Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine takes a patient-focused approach to care, and you can expect a thorough evaluation when you come in for an ACL tear consultation.

Your provider reviews the details of your injury and your symptoms. They examine your knee and run X-rays or an MRI to confirm your injury and assess the severity of the damage.

What are my ACL tear treatment options?

Your provider at Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine spends time talking to you about your injury and your treatment options. 

An ACL tear won't heal without surgery. However, your provider may recommend a nonsurgical approach if you lead a relatively sedentary lifestyle. Nonsurgical treatment includes bracing and physical therapy.

For athletes and active individuals, your provider recommends ACL reconstruction to repair your ACL. 

During this procedure, your orthopedic surgeon reconstructs your torn ACL using a ligament from another part of your body, usually the patellar ligament in the shin bone. 

For comprehensive care for your ACL tear, call Dearborn and Livonia Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, or schedule an appointment online today.