Worried you have torn your ACL? When an ACL tear occurs, a decision needs to be made about whether to live with the torn ligament, repair it, or replace the ligament. If you have experienced an ACL tear, you may consider giving it time to heal if you are not in a significant amount of pain. However, an ACL tear that is left untreated can cause future injuries.
If an ACL tear is left untreated, it can cause future injuries such as:
- Meniscal injury
- Knee instability
- Damage to surrounding cartilage
- Osteoarthritis
When deciding what to do about your ACL tear, remember that leaving it untreated puts you at a greater risk for needing a total joint replacement surgery down the road. If left untreated, the surgeon may not have the ability to fix all the joint damage, making for more complex surgery and recovery.
Treatment for a torn ACL will depend on your injury and activity levels. Minor tears may heal with non-surgical treatment, but complete ACL tears cannot heal without surgery. After an ACL injury and surgery, most people regain enough strength and range of motion to return to their usual activities.
If you have experienced an ACL tear, an immediate evaluation will help avoid future injuries. Dr. Ramesh Chandra can provide you with an in-depth evaluation of your injury and discuss treatment goals to get you back to being active.
Dr. Ramesh Chandra has been practicing orthopedic surgery in the Washington DC Metropolitan area since 1984. The Center for Orthopedics and Sports Medicine is easily accessed from anywhere in the Washington DC metropolitan area with offices located in Falls Church, Reston/Herndon, and Tysons Corner. For all appointments and inquiries, please call 703 848-0800 or click here to request an appointment online.
