5 symptoms consistent with an ACL injury

When you’re experiencing knee pain, or it’s not moving the way it’s supposed to, it can disrupt your everyday activities. You may have a difficult time climbing the stairs in your home, crouching down to tie your shoes or standing up from your desk chair. However, pain and reduced mobility can be signs of many different knee injuries. Learning how to determine if you have an ACL injury based on your symptoms can ensure that it’s treated in a safe and effective manner.

An ACL injury refers to damage to the anterior cruciate ligament. Your ACL is located diagonally across the middle of your knee to connect your thighbone to your shinbone. While some of the symptoms of an ACL injury may be prevalent with other knee issues, this article will cover the ones that most often point in the direction of an ACL injury diagnosis.

We’ll discuss symptoms that are common in an ACL injury before exploring treatment options from KC Rehab that can help you along your recovery journey. 

5 symptoms of an ACL injury to be aware of

An ACL injury can happen to anyone, as you can stretch or tear the ligament from quick pivoting movements when your foot is planted. It’s especially common among athletes, including basketball, soccer and football players. 

ACL injuries tend to get confused with other knee injuries, such as a torn meniscus or a medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury. It’s important to book an appointment with your doctor for a formal diagnosis. They’ll likely run diagnostic tests and X-rays to confirm the issue. 

If you’re experiencing these symptoms, or they’re worsening with time, you may be diagnosed with an ACL injury:

1. Popping sound — Since an ACL injury is the result of sudden movements, you’re likely to hear an unusual sound at the exact time the ligament is damaged. If you hear a loud pop during a twisting movement, or it feels like your knee is popping with each movement, you may be diagnosed with an ACL injury. The pop may also sound like a snap.

2. Swelling — When you feel or see swelling in your knee, it means that there’s inflammation or a buildup of fluid. While many knee injuries can lead to swelling, people with an ACL injury tend to experience swelling relatively quickly after sustaining the damage. Many people may see swelling just a few hours afterward. If ice is immediately applied to the area, the swelling can be limited.

3. Instability — It’s likely that an ACL injury can make it difficult to bear weight on your knee. It can feel like your knee is unstable or like you’re at risk of falling. If you feel like your knee is going to “give way” while you’re standing, walking or climbing stairs, you might have damaged your ACL. The instability from an ACL injury comes from the knee’s inability to stabilize because the shinbone isn’t able to properly slide out in front of the thighbone.

4. Severe pain — As you may imagine, an ACL injury can be painful. While injuries of any kind can lead to an ache, people with an ACL injury often report severe pain as soon as the injury occurs. The pain tends to also worsen when you try to place weight on your knee. The pain from stretching or tearing your ACL is likely to be felt in the back of your knee or on the outside.

5. Reduced range of motion — Any sort of damage that impacts your knee is likely to affect its function. If you sustain an ACL injury, it can be difficult to complete the movements that you do every day — especially movements that involve extending or bending your knee. If you’re experiencing reduced mobility in your knee joint, it can be difficult or painful to sit in a chair or walk with your normal gait, which is the position of your body as you move. 

Treatment options for an ACL injury at KC Rehab

Recovering from an ACL injury can look different for everyone, as many require surgery. While a sprained or overstretched ACL can often heal in less than a month, complete tears can require a surgical procedure followed by a recovery period between six months to one year.

Whether you’re trying to speed up the recovery process following an ACL sprain or you’re working toward regaining full mobility following ACL surgery, KC Rehab is here to help. We offer a variety of options that may be included in your personalized treatment plan. Your physical therapist will determine the safest and most effective options for your ACL injury based on the severity of the damage, your medical history and your overall health goals.

Common treatment options used at KC Rehab for an ACL tear include:

• Strengthening and stretching exercises

• Balance training

• Pain management modalities

• Joint mobilization

• Aquatic therapy

• Lifestyle adjustment recommendations

Contact our team today for more information or to schedule an initial appointment.