If you’ve recently been diagnosed with an ACL tear, you may be feeling overwhelmed or unsure about what comes next. Knee injuries can affect your ability to walk, run, or participate in sports safely, and it’s natural to have questions about your treatment options.
The good news is that modern orthopedic care provides highly effective solutions for adults under 65 who want to maintain an active lifestyle. By understanding what an ACL tear is, recognizing the symptoms, knowing how it’s diagnosed, and learning about the most effective treatments, you can make informed decisions and protect your knee for the long term.
General Points
What is an ACL Tear?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the main ligaments that stabilizes your knee. It connects your thigh bone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia) and helps control rotational movements as well as forward motion of the knee.
An ACL tear occurs when this ligament is stretched beyond its limit or completely torn, often during sports that involve sudden stops, pivots, or changes in direction. ACL tears are common in activities like soccer, basketball, skiing, and football, but they can also happen in everyday accidents or falls.
Early understanding and proper care are crucial because untreated ACL injuries can lead to further knee damage, such as meniscus tears, cartilage wear, or long-term instability.
Symptoms: How to Recognize an ACL Tear
Patients with an ACL tear often notice:
- A popping sound at the time of injury. Many describe hearing a “pop” in the knee.
- Immediate pain and swelling, usually within hours of the injury.
- Instability or giving way when walking or changing direction.
- Difficulty with pivoting, cutting, or jumping—activities that were previously easy.
Even if you can still walk, the knee may feel unstable or weak. Recognizing these signs early and consulting an orthopedic specialist can make a big difference in outcomes.
Diagnosis: How Doctors Confirm an ACL Tear
Your orthopedic specialist will use a combination of physical examination and imaging tests to diagnose an ACL tear:
- Physical Exam
- Lachman Test: The doctor gently moves your shin forward while stabilizing the thigh to check for excessive movement
- Pivot Shift Test: Evaluates rotational stability of the knee.
- Imaging
- MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): The gold standard for visualizing ligament tears and associated injuries like meniscus or cartilage damage.
- X-rays may be used to rule out bone injuries.
Early diagnosis ensures timely intervention, which improves long-term knee function.
Treatment Options for ACL Tears
Treatment depends on your activity level, age, and severity of the tear. There are both non-surgical and surgical options.
Non-Surgical Approaches
Some patients, especially those with partial tears or lower activity demands, may consider non-surgical management:
- Physical Therapy: Strengthening muscles around the knee to improve stability.
- Bracing: Provides support during activity.
- Activity Modification: Avoiding high-risk sports or movements that stress the knee.
While non-surgical treatment may work for some, studies show that for active adults, especially athletes, surgical reconstruction is often the most reliable way to restore knee stability and prevent further injury.
Surgical Treatment: Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction ± LET
When surgery is recommended, Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction is the standard approach. In some cases, your orthopedic surgeon may also include a Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis (LET) to enhance rotational stability.
How the Procedure Works
- Arthroscopy: Small incisions and a camera allow the surgeon to view the inside of your knee.
- ACL Reconstruction: The torn ligament is replaced with a graft, often taken from the patient’s hamstring or patellar tendon.
- Optional LET: In patients with high rotational stress or a history of repeated instability, the surgeon may perform LET to reinforce lateral stability.
- Fixation: Modern techniques use secure devices like suture tape or internal braces to support healing and early mobility.
Benefits of Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction ± LET
- Restores stability: Prevents your knee from giving way during pivoting or cutting movements.
- High success rates: Modern repair techniques with internal brace or suture augmentation have a failure rate of ~8–10% overall, and reconstruction with suture tape/internal brace can have failure rates as low as 1–1.1% in select studies.
- Preserves knee function: Allows patients to return to sports or demanding activities safely.
- Minimally invasive: Arthroscopic surgery means smaller scars, less pain, and faster rehabilitation.
When LET is Considered
- Patients with high-grade pivot shift or rotational instability
- Athletes in pivot-heavy sports (soccer, basketball, skiing)
- Revision ACL surgeries or previous failed reconstruction
LET acts as an additional stabilizer to reduce graft stress and prevent re-injury, without compromising knee motion.
Take Action for Your Knee Health
An ACL tear is a serious injury, but with timely diagnosis and expert surgical care, most patients can return to their prior activity levels. Modern arthroscopic techniques, especially ACL reconstruction ± LET, provide highly predictable outcomes, excellent stability, and long-term protection for your knee.
If you or a loved one has experienced a knee injury or suspect an ACL tear, consult an orthopedic specialist promptly. Early intervention can protect your knee, prevent secondary injuries, and ensure a safe, confident return to the activities you love.
Your knee stability and long-term health matter—don’t wait to get expert guidance. Schedule a consultation today and take the first step toward a strong, confident recovery.
