Torn ACL???

I just found out that I have a torn ACL from an injury about 5 years ago. At the time of the injury, I did not have medical insurance so I did not pursue xrays, etc. I used some borrowed crutches until the swelling and pain subsided. Since then, my knee gives out often and I have reinjured it several times. Over the last year or so, my knee has been aching every night, swelling on occasion, and I'm having pain in my thigh, calf, and sole of my foot. I had an MRI which revealed the problem, and now the physician assistant I see says I should just get physical therapy, and that there is no reason for a referral to a specialist. (her office offers PT services) Now, I would be ecstatic to avoid surgery, but I'm hearing from friends and family that a torn ACL should be fixed, then PT. I have no idea what to do... (no significant weight gain over the last year to account for the increased pain, and I'm not sure if it's torn completely-the report doesn't say)

How active a person are you really determines what course of treatment to take. If you are one to not exercise much if at all and the only activity you do is walk and go up and down stairs then you do not need to have surgery to reconstruct your ACL. If, on the other hand, you are active (especially with sports) then having your ACL reconstructed is a must. PT will help strengthen your leg (and you must continue with the exercises after PT is finished) enough for everyday life but you need more stability than the muscles can provide to be more active. Whatever your choice is, do the PT now because the stronger you go into the surgery (if you do it) the better shape coming out of surgery you will be and your rehab will go smoother.

I would say see a specialist first. My bf has been having ACL problems and he is getting surgery here within the next month. He tried PT first and it wasnt doing anything, all it was doing was scraping off the cartilage from his bones. Trust me, you dont want that...see a specialist first, then they will send ya to PT. If you have had the damage for 5 yrs, they might be able to recommend something...maybe it wouldnt involve surgery.

if its torn, pt will not help that. pt is to strengthen the muscles in your quads. those are the muscles just above your knee.
this will require that u use the knee less and the quad muscles more.

bottom line. see a orthopaedist specialist. he will offer you a choice of getting surgery or not. remember nothing will repair the tear except surgery. my opinion: get the surgery and then your pt and get on with your life.

It really depends on your age and activity level. For people who lead more sedentary lives, you can live without an ACL just fine...and a course of PT can help compensate for a torn ACL within parameters. For instance, in a closed chain position (foot on the ground), a strong hamstring can prevent the tibia from translating too far forward (normally a job for the ACL).

Yet, I still think that you've had a recent change in your pain levels and the PA should not be the one ultimately making this decision. The decision on whether or not to have an ACL reconstruction is best done by getting all the recent information by a well-informed expert...ie, an orthopedic surgon.

To say the very least, I think a course of PT is acceptable...in fact, if you are considering surgery, it's usually required prior to surgery anyway...so go ahead and get a leg up (no pun intended)...if you feel better with PT, then way to go...if you need surgery, you'll be one step ahead.

I'd also recommend that the PT rule out the pain coming from the lumbar spine if you are having it in the entire length of the leg.

An ACL should almost always be fixed. There are exceptions, but are rare and few. You should definitely see an orthopedic physician just for his/her opinion. Seeing one does not guaruntee you will have surgery, but will guaruntee that you get complete and thorough advice.

The biggest downsides to not having ACL surgery are a continued pain/swelling in the knee (occasionally), increased chance of arthritis, and difficulty with athletic type activities.

Orthopedid rehabilitation will be beneficial regardless of surgery/no surgery