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The huge difference will be visible at around 24 hours after the tear. Between football, soccer, volleyball, cross country, and off-season basketball, physical therapy clinics are swarming with ACL and meniscus tears.īoth, ACL and meniscus, will likely result in a decreased range of motion, excessive swelling, and pain on occurrence although some people state that they had no pain at the time of the initial tear - simply just heard a "pop". If someone suspects a damaged ACL or MCL seek immediate medical attention.Fall sports have a tendency to have the highest number of ACL and meniscus tears on average compared to any other sports seasons. Surgery may be the best route to a pain-free life, with amazing success rates. But the movement will be severely limited, not to mention painful. In most cases, the injured person can still walk with the torn knee ligament. If the MCL or ACL tears, the result is usually pain, swelling, stiffness, and instability. Knee ligament repair requires extensive physical therapy, with recovery going as long as 12 months.įull tears of the ACL and MCL are serious and can affect future movement.
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From there, the surgeon installs a replacement tendon from a donor or other part of the body. Using 2-3 incisions the size of buttonholes, a surgeon can remove the damaged ligament. Luckily, advancements in surgical procedures mean that these repairs are now minimally invasive. Athletes, in particular, must get surgery if the goal is to perform at a high level again. Surgery for a brighter futureīoth ligaments can benefit from ligament reconstruction surgery. With both MCL and ACL injuries, walking will only be limited to short distances before undergoing surgery or physical therapy. A knee brace prevents the knee from moving inward, but some limited movement is possible. Yet, this injury will need surgical intervention. Walking is also possible with a full-thickness MCL tear. With a partial tear, walking is possible but not without pain. What about the MCL?īased on the degree of injury, walking is also possible with an MCL. A knee brace can help stabilize the knee, but with ACL tears, surgery is almost always required. The patient should be able to walk in a straight line but will be unable to make sudden turns or pivot. With ACL tears, walking is possible but can be painful. A healthcare provider can help with testing the stability of the knee and assessing the extent of the damage.
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Applying immediate first aid can help reduce the swelling. Can you walk with a torn ACL?Īfter a ligament tear, there will be immediate swelling, tenderness, and discomfort. For both ACL and MCL injuries, the right medical care is crucial for a quick recovery. Furthermore, simple tasks like standing, sitting, and extending the knee can be difficult. The pain will be specific to the inner knee with some bruising. Unlike the ACL, there is no popping sound with the MCL. Like the ACL, the injured person will feel pain, swelling, and tenderness. A blow to the inner knee can cause an MCL tear. MCL tears have similar symptoms to ACL tears, with some key exceptions. Twisting, turning, or extending the knee feels near impossible. Other signs include swelling, tenderness, and pain in the middle of the knee. The ligament is so strong that the injured person feels when there is a snap or pop. The most significant sign of an ACL tear is the popping sound that occurs on contact. Most injuries occur in football, soccer, and basketball. ACL injuries often happen in sports collisions. When the ACL tears, the knee can no longer turn without pain. Together, these ligaments help with twisting movements while keeping the knee in place. The MCL and the LCL prevent excessive sideways movement. The MCL or medial collateral ligament is on the inner knee, connecting the fibula and femur. The collateral ligaments, on the other hand, are on the sides of the knee. Both the ACL and PCL prevent the knee from going too far forward or backward. This ligament connects the femur and tibia and forms an X with the posterior cruciate ligament or PCL. The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL is in the middle of the knee. The ACL and MCL differ in both location and purpose.