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Can Partial Tear Of ACL Heal With Conservative Treatment?
Question: Dear Doctor
If I had a partial tear of my right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and only had conservative treatment with physiotherapy:
-Will the ligament renew/heal on its own? By what means?
-What are the risk that it will become a total tear if I continue to be active in running, skate boarding?
-Is there any clinical data that shows progression of partial tear to total tear in ACL in non-surgical patient?
-What are the chances (percentage) that I may need an ACL reconstruction eventually?
Thanks
XXXX
If I had a partial tear of my right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and only had conservative treatment with physiotherapy:
-Will the ligament renew/heal on its own? By what means?
-What are the risk that it will become a total tear if I continue to be active in running, skate boarding?
-Is there any clinical data that shows progression of partial tear to total tear in ACL in non-surgical patient?
-What are the chances (percentage) that I may need an ACL reconstruction eventually?
Thanks
XXXX
Brief Answer:
It can heal on conservative treatment.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The treatment of partial tear of ACL depends on the depth and extent of the tear.
1. If it is a partial thickness tear involving less than 50% of the ligament thickness then rest and regular physiotherapy can help in proper healing of the tear in 6-8 weeks. The ligament heals with time and the surrounding muscles regain the strength after physiotherapy.
2. The tear may extend from the partial thickness to a full thickness tear if proper rest is not given to the joint. You should not do any strenuous knee exercises like squatting, skate boarding, jumping or running.
3. In non surgical treatment if proper rest is not given only then the tear can progress to a full thickness tear.
4. Even after rest and proper physiotherapy there are almost 15-20% chances that the tear may not heal properly and eventually arthroscopic repair may be needed. The main cause of failure of conservative treatment is improper rest to the knee.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
It can heal on conservative treatment.
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
The treatment of partial tear of ACL depends on the depth and extent of the tear.
1. If it is a partial thickness tear involving less than 50% of the ligament thickness then rest and regular physiotherapy can help in proper healing of the tear in 6-8 weeks. The ligament heals with time and the surrounding muscles regain the strength after physiotherapy.
2. The tear may extend from the partial thickness to a full thickness tear if proper rest is not given to the joint. You should not do any strenuous knee exercises like squatting, skate boarding, jumping or running.
3. In non surgical treatment if proper rest is not given only then the tear can progress to a full thickness tear.
4. Even after rest and proper physiotherapy there are almost 15-20% chances that the tear may not heal properly and eventually arthroscopic repair may be needed. The main cause of failure of conservative treatment is improper rest to the knee.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL http://bit.ly/Dr-Praveen-Tayal
Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
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