The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) plays a key role in supporting the knee and maintaining the joint’s stability as it bends and pivots. When this ligament is sprained or torn, it may result in discomfort, swelling and knee instability. Ultimately, the right course of treatment for an ACL injury will depend on its severity/grade and the patient’s particular symptoms. This article will offer an overview of ACL sprain treatment methods which may be prescribed to help a patient recover from a minor or moderate ACL injury.
What Is Involved in ACL Sprain Treatment?
To create an individualized, effective ACL injury treatment plan, an orthopedic physician will start by using diagnostic equipment to determine the grade of the injury. Depending on the amount of tearing present, an ACL injury may be classified as:
- – Grade 1, meaning the ACL remains intact and has only microscopic tearing
- – Grade 2, indicating a moderate ligament tear with the ACL still intact
- – Grade 3, in which case the ACL is totally ruptured or torn and is no longer fully intact
Typically, a Grade 1 or 2 ACL injury is considered a sprain and will be treated as such. ACL sprain treatment plans commonly include:
- – Following the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression & Elevation) protocol
- – Taking anti-inflammatory medications to help with pain and swelling
- – Performing routine physical therapy exercises designed to restore previous strength, range of motion and functionality to the affected knee joint
- – Wearing an ACL brace
A combination of the above strategies will often promote full knee rehabilitation without the need for surgical intervention. However, an unstable ACL sprain or a grade 3 injury may necessitate ACL reconstruction surgery. A qualified orthopedic surgeon such as Dr. Stephen Soffer can help you decide on your best course of action to heal from a knee injury, given your individual circumstances.
Visit Dr. Soffer’s Office for Cutting-Edge Knee Care in Reading, PA
If you are experiencing knee pain, swelling and trouble walking, it’s possible you have sustained an ACL sprain or tear. To speed your ACL injury recovery and prevent long-term issues, seeking professional diagnosis & care in a prompt manner is instrumental.
If you are located in the Reading, PA area, you can rely on Dr. Stephen Soffer to provide compassionate, skilled orthopedic care. As part of his extensive training, Dr. Soffer completed a fellowship in sports medicine with world-renowned sports surgeon Dr. James Andrews.
At his office, Dr. Soffer offers a full range of advanced surgical & nonsurgical treatments for knee injuries & conditions of all sorts. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Soffer, call our 24-hour sports injury hotline at 610-375-4949.
