An ACL tear is a typical sports injury, but when you’re afraid it’s happening to you, it might feel like your worst nightmare. The good news is that if you HAVE torn your ACL, with proper treatment, recovery is possible.
Here’s what to look for if you want to know if you tore your ACL:
1. A loud popping noise
One of the telltale signs of an ACL tear in the knee is a loud popping sound at the time of trauma.
ACL injuries are most likely to happen:
- When you stop quickly
- When you change speed while running
- When you plant your foot to change directions
- When you land flat-footed from a jump
- When you experience a sudden, high-energy impact from the side
These movements can cause pressure and stretching on your ACL. This sudden release of pressure as the ACL tears causes a popping sensation and sometimes, a sound. You may hear this pop if you rupture your ACL, as can people nearby.
If you didn’t hear a pop at the time of your injury, you’re not out of the clear just yet. Here are some other things to look out for to know if you tore your ACL.
2. A shift in the knee joint resulting in decreased mobility
If you tear your ACL, you may have the sensation of your knee giving out or buckling. Having a sense of the knee ‘giving way’ is a common account from athletes who have injured their knees during a practice or competition.
You may also have trouble putting pressure on your injured leg, standing, or walking. Some people report that the knee joint feels “looser” than it normally does.
3. Swelling, warmth, redness, and bruising
Swelling from an ACL tear usually appears quickly after injury. The ACL stabilizes your knee, and tearing it either partially or completely will cause swelling. Swelling of the knee typically happens within 6-24 hours after your injury and can be quite severe.
Due to ruptured blood vessels filling the joint space with blood, your knee may also feel warm to the touch and turn red. Other bruising and discoloration may occur.
If your knee is blue, seek medical help immediately, as your blood vessels may be injured.
4. Discomfort to intense Pain
Most ACL tears are painful on some level, but the intensity of the pain can vary depending on the severity of the knee joint. Most of the pain usually occurs from the sudden rupture of blood vessels and swelling in the joint space of the knee.
In some instances, however, you may not experience severe pain and only recognize it as discomfort. Some people with torn ACLs have minimal to no pain, giving them a false sense of security that it’s ok to get right back in the game. However, ignoring a torn ACL can potentially lead to further injury.
5. Loss of range of motion
If you tore your ACL, you’ll have restricted motion at the knee joint. it will be difficult to move the lower section of the leg (below your knee) due to the swelling that occurs after the tear. It’s very likely that you won’t be able to bend and flex your knee like you normally would.
What to Do If You Think You Tore Your ACL
If you think you have torn your ACL, you should immediately:
- Apply ice to your knee for 15-20 minutes every few hours
- Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen
- Elevate your leg above the level of your heart
- Stay off of your knee – don’t participate in any physical activities until your see a doctor
Consult an Orthopedic Surgeon or Sports Medicine Physician ASAP About Your ACL Injury
Once torn, an ACL cannot regrow or heal on its own. Typically, you should see a doctor if you notice you have:
- Difficulty walking or standing on the injured knee
- Swelling or pain that remains for over 48 hours
- Trouble supporting your weight on the injured knee
- An odd appearance on the side of the injured knee
An ACL tear needs to be examined by an orthopedic surgeon or knee specialist. The doctor will review your medical history and ask how you injured yourself. The physical exam typically includes observing your knee’s stability and range of movement. Your doctor may also order the following tests:
- An X-ray to help determine whether there are any broken bones.
- An MRI to help diagnose an ACL tear and assess the other structures in your knee
- A CT scan of your knee if there are worries about small bone fractures
Get Treatment for a Torn ACL Today
Want to recover like a pro after your ACL tear? Dr. Raj Ahluwalia completed a Harvard fellowship specifically in knee surgery and has performed hundreds of successful knee operations – making him uniquely qualified to perform your knee surgery.
If you have a sports injury affecting your knee or you have any symptoms of an ACL tear, call our Los Angeles office for a thorough examination, diagnosis and treatment. We’ll review all of your options with you and get you the answers you need to get back to your life.
The information contained on this website is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Always seek the advice of your own physician or another qualified healthcare provider.
