The most common sign of a torn anterior cruciate ligament is a loud popping noise, followed by immense knee pain. However, there are some other signs of ACL injury. Let’s talk about four different ways to tell if you’ve injured your ACL, including physical symptoms and tests you can do at home and where you can find the best orthopedic doctor for ACL injury in North Dakota.
What Is an ACL Injury?
An ACL injury is a tear in the anterior cruciate ligament, one of the four major ligaments in the knee. The ACL band of tissue that connects the shin bone to the thigh bone in your knee, helps keep the knee stable and prevents forward movement and rotation of the lower leg bone. ACL injuries usually happen due to pivoting, jumping, or sudden starts and stops – common motions in many sports.
4 Signs of an ACL Injury
If you are experiencing one or more of the following symptoms, it’s likely that you have suffered a tear in your ACL:
- A loud popping noise, followed by pain and swelling.
- Difficulty walking or bearing weight on the injured leg.
- The feeling that your knee is unstable or may give out.
- Swelling that starts right away to six hours after the injury and persists for two to four weeks.
Treatment
If you think you may have torn your ACL, it’s important to seek medical attention immediately. A doctor will likely do a physical examination and order X-rays or an MRI to confirm the diagnosis.
If the injury is minor, you may be able to rest until the swelling resolves, do physical therapy, and then return to normal activities. However, your ACL itself will not heal or regenerate, so your knee may be weaker than before your injury, and your doctor may recommend you don’t return to your sport. Because of this, many people choose surgery to repair the ligament, followed by rehabilitation.
ACL Tear and Reconstruction at The Bone and Joint Center
If you have experienced any of the four symptoms of an ACL injury, come to The Bone and Joint Center to receive the highest quality of care for your injury. We are the largest orthopedic private practice in North Dakota, and we have orthopedic surgeons who specialize in knee surgery and have performed countless ACL repair surgeries. We also have experienced advanced practice providers and physical/occupational therapists who can help you through therapy after surgery.
To make an appointment, call us at (701) 946-7400 or (866) 900-8650, or use our online appointment request form. We look forward to treating you!
