Can an ACL Tear Heal on Its Own?

One of the most common knee injuries, especially in the sports world, is a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). While in some cases it seems a torn ACL can heal on its own with plenty of time and care, most people need surgery to get up and moving normally again.

At Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles, California, orthopaedic and sports medicine specialist George Hatch, MD, treats patients with all types of joint injuries, including sports injuries and knee injuries. Here’s what he wants you to know about your torn ACL.

What your ACL does

Your anterior cruciate ligament is located inside your knee joint, running diagonally across the front of it just under the kneecap. It and the patellar cruciate ligament, which runs diagonally in the opposite direction across the back of the knee, provide support and stability for the entire joint.

Women are at higher risk for an ACL tear, especially if they play a sport like soccer, which can result in sudden stops, turns, or bodily impact.

What happens when your ACL gets torn

If your ACL tears, you’re probably going to hear a popping noise right before the pain hits. A partial tear may mean less pain but a full tear usually means intense pain and your leg will stop supporting your weight.

Causes of ACL tears

The most common causes of the 100,000 to 200,000 ACL tears in the United States each year are:

• Sports injuries (usually because of a sudden stop or a sharp turn)
• Car accidents (resulting in the knee being smashed into part of the vehicle)
• Falls (especially falls that involve twisting or hyperextending the leg)

No matter what causes your knee injury, and how little it hurts, it’s critical to get your knee checked out if the pain is severe or swelling, immobility, or weakness lasts for more than a few days.

Treatment for a torn ACL

You can have a stretched ACL, which may heal up on its own, a partial ACL tear, which may or may not heal with rehabilitation, or an acute tear (the ACL ripped in half or almost in half) which typically requires surgical intervention.

There have been cases in which an acute ACL tear has healed without surgery, specifically when a specialized cross-bracing protocol has been used. However, this may or may not be an option for your specific case. Most ACL tears require surgery, which is when an experienced orthopaedic specialist is needed.

Orthopaedic surgery 

Dr. Hatch performs surgery to fix your torn ACL or other knee joint injury. When possible, he uses a minimally invasive method (arthroscopy), with small incisions, tiny cameras, and specialized tools. If necessary, he will perform an open knee surgery (usually done when the ACL tear is in a harder to reach place and is torn completely through.)

Part of your patellar (kneecap) tendon can be used to patch your ACL, and strengthen it. After your surgery is complete, you’ll need rehabilitation for several months to regain full range of motion and strength.

To learn more about ACL tears and treatment, contact our office by calling 323-442-5860, or book an appointment online today with Dr. George Hatch of Keck Medicine of USC, Orthopaedic Surgery.