ACL Reconstruction – Part 1: Understanding the Injury : Symptoms & Treatment Choices

Knee injuries can silently affect your daily life — from walking comfortably to enjoying your favorite sports. One of the most common and serious knee injuries is a tear of the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament). Many people ignore early symptoms, thinking the pain will go away, but an untreated ACL injury can lead to long-term knee problems.

In this first part, we will help you understand what the ACL is, how it gets injured, common symptoms, and when treatment becomes necessary.

What Is the ACL and Why Is It Important?

The ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is one of the main stabilizing ligaments of the knee. It connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) and helps control the movement of the knee.

The ACL plays a key role in:

• Maintaining knee stability
• Controlling forward movement of the leg
• Supporting sudden stops and direction changes
• Helping with jumping, running, and twisting movements

When the ACL is healthy, the knee moves smoothly and confidently.

How Does an ACL Injury Occur?

ACL injuries usually happen suddenly and are common during activities that put stress on the knee.

Common causes include:

• Sports like football, cricket, basketball, and badminton
• Sudden twisting or pivoting movements
• Landing incorrectly after a jump
• Road traffic accidents
• Slips, falls, or awkward movements

Many patients describe hearing or feeling a “pop” sound at the time of injury, followed by immediate pain and swelling.

Symptoms of an ACL Tear You Should Not Ignore

An ACL injury does not always cause severe pain immediately, which is why it is often ignored. However, common symptoms include:

• Swelling within a few hours after injury
• Pain while walking or putting weight on the knee
• A feeling that the knee may “give way”
• Difficulty bending or straightening the knee
• Reduced confidence in movement
• Inability to return to sports or exercise

If these symptoms continue, medical evaluation is important.

How Is an ACL Injury Diagnosed?

An orthopedic specialist will diagnose an ACL injury using:

• Physical examination of the knee
• Patient history and injury details
• Imaging tests such as MRI, which clearly shows ligament damage

Early diagnosis helps prevent further damage to the knee cartilage and meniscus.

Treatment Options for an ACL Injury

Treatment depends on factors like age, activity level, and severity of the injury.

Non-Surgical Treatment

May be suitable if:

• You are not very physically active
• Knee stability is good
• Symptoms improve with physiotherapy

This includes rest, physiotherapy, knee braces, and activity modification.

Surgical Treatment (ACL Reconstruction)

Recommended if:

• The knee feels unstable
• You want to return to sports or active life
• Physiotherapy alone is not effective
• Daily activities are affected

ACL reconstruction helps restore stability and prevent future knee damage.

Why Early Treatment Matters

Ignoring an ACL injury can lead to:

• Repeated knee instability
• Damage to cartilage and meniscus
• Early knee arthritis
• Reduced mobility and confidence

Timely treatment improves long-term outcomes and quality of life.

What’s Coming Next?

In Part 2, we will cover:

• What ACL reconstruction surgery involves
• Types of grafts used
• Step-by-step surgery overview
• Recovery timeline and physiotherapy
• Life after ACL surgery

👉 Stay tuned for Part 2, where we’ll explore how ACL reconstruction can help you regain strength, stability, and confidence.