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Can An ACL Injury Heal On Its Own Through Rest?
Question: Can an ACL injury, when mild, repair by itself. If so, what excersices would be useful; and what not to do? Thank you, XXXX
Brief Answer:
Yesit can repair by itself but clinical and MRI findings are important
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query in Healthcaremagic.com.
This is Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta answering your query.
I understand your concern.
ACL or anterior cruciate ligament is an important ligament in knee and is responsible for the stability of knee joint; i.e. in ACL tear, stability of knee joint might be hampered.
The management of an ACL injury depends on the grade of injury alongwith clinical and MRI findings. If it is a sprain or low grade injury, it can repair by itself in due time. In such cases, we generally give quadriceps drill, static and in some cases dynamic; ask the patient to avoid squatting, crossed legged sitting, playing strenuous sports or activities. Ice compression locally helps in acute injuries. Painkillers if any, might be taken as well.
But as I have mentioned, clinical examination and MRI findings are very important in deciding treatment. In cases of moderate to severe injury and even in partial tears also, a diagnostic arthroscopy should be done and proceeded as per in-operative findings.
Hence I would ask you to send me the MRI reports if possible and get clinically checked by an orthopedician.
Hope I have answered your question.
If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Regards.
Yesit can repair by itself but clinical and MRI findings are important
Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Thank you for posting your query in Healthcaremagic.com.
This is Dr. Swarnava Dattagupta answering your query.
I understand your concern.
ACL or anterior cruciate ligament is an important ligament in knee and is responsible for the stability of knee joint; i.e. in ACL tear, stability of knee joint might be hampered.
The management of an ACL injury depends on the grade of injury alongwith clinical and MRI findings. If it is a sprain or low grade injury, it can repair by itself in due time. In such cases, we generally give quadriceps drill, static and in some cases dynamic; ask the patient to avoid squatting, crossed legged sitting, playing strenuous sports or activities. Ice compression locally helps in acute injuries. Painkillers if any, might be taken as well.
But as I have mentioned, clinical examination and MRI findings are very important in deciding treatment. In cases of moderate to severe injury and even in partial tears also, a diagnostic arthroscopy should be done and proceeded as per in-operative findings.
Hence I would ask you to send me the MRI reports if possible and get clinically checked by an orthopedician.
Hope I have answered your question.
If you have any further questions I will be happy to help.
Regards.
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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