The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four major ligaments in the knee. Responsible for controlling forward movement and rotation of the shin bone (tibia), the ACL is located in the center of the knee. When this crucial ligament is torn or sprained during activity, it can compromise the functionality of the entire knee joint. “How do I know if I tore my ACL?” is a common question among patients experiencing knee discomfort after physical activity. Let’s review symptoms which may indicate an ACL injury.
How Do I Know If I Tore My ACL?
Typically, ACL tears and sprains happen during activities which involve abrupt changes in direction, sudden stops, pivoting and/or jumping and landing. Football, basketball, soccer, downhill skiing and gymnastics are a few common sports which fall under this category.
So, how do I know if I tore my ACL? Here are the signs and symptoms which generally accompany an ACL injury:
- – A popping sensation in the knee, sometimes with a loud popping sound at the time of injury
- – Severe pain & swelling
- – Difficulty walking
- – Reduced range of motion
- – Knee instability (inability to bear weight)
If you are experiencing knee symptoms which interfere with your daily activities, it is important to seek prompt treatment from a sports medicine physician. This medical professional can diagnose your knee issue and prescribe the appropriate course of treatment.
Depending on the severity of the injury and individual factors such as your age and activity level, nonsurgical therapies may be sufficient to resolve a torn ACL. However, ACL reconstruction surgery may be beneficial if you are a young, active individual wishing to return to athletic activities after healing, plus reduce your risk of reinjury and other complications.
Visit Dr. Soffer for Expert, Patient-Centered Orthopedic Care
Hopefully, this article has given you a clear answer to “how do I know if I tore my ACL?” If you are concerned that you may have sustained an ACL tear or another type of orthopedic injury, you can depend on Dr. Stephen Soffer to provide skillful, individualized care.
Whether your injury necessitates surgery or it can be effectively managed with first-line treatments, Dr. Soffer will help you heal using cutting-edge therapies. Prioritizing minimally invasive approaches whenever possible, he is committed to helping patients make a full recovery and resume a fulfilling lifestyle. To arrange an appointment with Dr. Soffer, call our office at 610-375-4949.
