Best treatment for an ACL Rupture?
Treatment for an ACL rupture will be governed by certain factors following its diagnosis. As we stated in our previous blog, ‘What is an ACL rupture?’, this injury is one of the most common knee injuries going. Once the diagnosis has been confirmed with an MRI scan you will usually then sit down with an Orthopaedic knee specialist to discuss your options.
Below we will look at both the acute treatment, and long term management following an ACL rupture.
Acute treatment for an ACL rupture
Follow the ‘POLICE’ protocol in the initial 48-72 hours:
- Protect > use a compression support and crutches if needed
- Optimal Load > general rest and offloading for the next few days, before steadily reintroducing movement as pain allows
- Ice > cold compress for 10-15mins every 2-3 hours to aid pain relief and reduce inflammation
- Compression > compress the injured area with an elastic, tubular bandage to slow the swelling
- Elevation > raise and support the injured area above the level of your heart to reduce swelling
Once out of the acute phase, the best treatment will depend upon certain factors. These include the severity of the injury and the type of activities you need to get back to. A physiotherapist will be able to guide you through your recovery.
Surgery vs conservative treatment
Can an ACL rupture heal itself? In short, the answer is no. Sprains to ligaments can heal themselves given the right environment BUT…full ruptures will not without intervention. Treatment for an ACL rupture will always require some form of rehabilitation to improve the strength and stability of around the knee. These are usually gym-based exercises that progressively challenge you to improve your function. Often Physiotherapy rehab like this is called ‘conservative treatment’.
If you’re not looking to return to a particular sport or activity that requires lots of jumping, twisting, and sprinting then conservative treatment for an ACL rupture could be your preferred option. Evidence shows a comprehensive rehab program under the guidance of a Physiotherapist gained similar functional outcomes to surgery years down the line.
ACL Reconstruction surgery
As a general rule, if you are younger, and highly active, particularly playing competitive level sports then treatment for an ACL rupture would likely require surgery. An ACL reconstruction is the gold-standard surgery. It involves replacing the old ACL ligament with a graft, usually taken from a tendon in your hamstring or quadriceps muscles. Commonly this is a day procedure done via keyhole surgery. Check out the video link here for more detail.
Following the surgery you will go through a structured rehab programme with a Physio over the next 6-9 months before returning to sports. Some evidence favours this treatment option long term.
Ultimately, you will need treatment for an ACL rupture whether you have surgery or not. Look out for our future blog on ACL Rehabilitation
Any questions regarding this or any other injury book an appointment here. For any further information please call us on 0114 267 8181 or email [email protected]
