| CHRIS
SERVANT |
| ANTERIOR CRUCIATE
LIGAMENT (ACL) RECONSTRUCTION |
What can I expect if my ACL
is torn? |
| After a few weeks the pain and swelling
usually settle, but people returning to sport may find the
knee gives way with twisting movements or sudden changes in
direction. A few people may also find that the knee is
unstable during normal daily activities. |
| If the knee continues to give way,
further damage to the joint may occur over time and this may
lead to osteoarthritis (arthritis due to ‘wear and
tear’). |
 |
| Arthroscopic view of a torn
ACL |
What are the treatment
options? |
| The aim of treatment is to make the
knee stable enough to allow the patient to return to their
desired level of activity without risk of further injury to
the knee. Each patient has different requirements. |
Initial
treatment |
The early treatment of any joint
injury, especially if there is swelling, is known as
R.I.C.E.:
- Rest: crutches may be needed for a
short time to help rest the knee joint while it is painful
- Ice: regularly applying ice to the knee
can help to reduce any swelling – use ice cubes in a plastic
bag or a bag of frozen peas for 10-15 minutes (do not place
ice directly against the skin)
- Compression: a firm bandage also helps
control the amount of swelling
- Elevation: rest with your leg up to
allow any swelling to drain away
|
| A brace may be used, particularly if
there has been an injury to the medial (inner)
ligament. |
Avoid H.A.R.M. for the
first 2-3 days after an injury:
- Heat: avoid hot baths, showers or
saunas, heat packs and liniments
- Alcohol: alcohol increases bleeding and
swelling and delays healing
- Running: any form of exercise will
cause further damage
- Massage: avoid massage which causes
increased bleeding and swelling
|
Mr Servant may use various methods to
diagnose an ACL injury and to decide how best to treat it.
These include:
- Clinic assessment: asking about how the injury was
caused and examining the knee carefully
- X-ray examination
- MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan
- Arthroscopy (keyhole surgery to look at the inside of
the joint)
|
|
