It’s Saturday afternoon and you are cheering for another touchdown when one of your star players gets tackled and doesn’t immediately get back up. You’ve got that sinking feeling in your gut as they get escorted off the field and find out later that they have a torn ACL and are out for the season. ACL tears are common sports injuries but can also occur at work, school, or while working around the house. It is important to be able to recognize the signs of an ACL tear, so you can see your orthopedic doctor to get a diagnosis and start your recovery as soon as possible. So you can be better prepared to identify an ACL tear, we list the top 10 symptoms of an ACL tear below.
What is the ACL?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) runs diagonally across the knee. It gives your knee some rotational stability so that you can move easily.
What are the symptoms of an ACL tear?
- Popping sensation in the knee, followed by initial sharp pain
- Rapid and severe swelling around the knee
- Sharp immediate pain that changes to a dull and deep ache
- Discomfort in knee during normal activities
- Restricted range of motion: inability to straighten or bend knee all the way
- Knee feels warm to the touch
- Inability to bear weight on the injured side
- Bruising around knee
- Numbness
- Knee may give way
What should I do if I think I have a torn ACL?
If you think you may have a torn ACL, you can present to one of our ORTHOKnox orthopedic clinics in either the Knoxville or Athens locations. Your doctors will listen to you, do a thorough examination, and help diagnose your injury.
If you are diagnosed with an ACL tear, your orthopedic surgeon at ORTHOKnox can perform surgery to treat your ACL injury and help you return to daily activities and sports a soon as possible. There are several different graft options for surgery. You can explore the different options and more details on ACL reconstruction here.
Will I need physical therapy during my ACL surgery rehabilitation?
The physical therapists on-site at ORTHOKnox can help you recover from your ACL injury by designing and helping your implement a training program. This program will help you increase your range of motion and strengthen the muscles supporting your knee.
Where should I go for treatment of an ACL tear?
With its board-certified surgeons and Urgent Orthopaedic Care Walk-in Clinic that is available without an appointment, ORTHOKnox has got you covered with locations in Knoxville and Athens, Tennessee. For more information about how the orthopedic doctors, sports medicine specialists, and physical therapists at ORTHOKnox can help with your ACL tear, call (865) 251-3030, or fill out our easy-to-use online appointment request form. We look forward to hearing from you!