ACL Tear – Everything You Need to Know | Dr Shahrukh Khan

By Dr Shahrukh Khan | Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Surgeon | Dashvanth Healthcare, Delhi

What is an ACL Tear?

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of the four major ligaments of the knee. It connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) and plays a crucial role in stabilising the knee during activities like running, jumping, and pivoting. An ACL tear occurs when this ligament is stretched beyond its limits — usually during a sudden twist or change of direction.

Who Gets ACL Tears?

ACL injuries are most common in:

• Athletes playing football, basketball, badminton, kabaddi
• Gym enthusiasts and runners
• People with road traffic accidents
• Young adults aged 15–45 years
• Women are 2–8x more likely to sustain ACL injuries than men

Symptoms of ACL Tear

• A loud “pop” sound at the time of injury
• Sudden severe knee pain
• Rapid knee swelling within hours
• Knee feeling unstable or “giving way”
• Difficulty walking or bearing weight
• Loss of full range of motion

Diagnosis

ACL tears are diagnosed through:

• Clinical Examination – Lachman’s test, Anterior Drawer test
• MRI Scan – The gold standard for ACL injury confirmation and grading
• X-Ray – To rule out associated bone fractures

Treatment Options

Non-Surgical Treatment (for partial tears or low-demand patients)

• RICE – Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation
• Physiotherapy and muscle strengthening
• Knee brace support
• Activity modification

Surgical Treatment – ACL Reconstruction

For athletes and active individuals with complete tears, ACL reconstruction surgery is recommended. At Dashvanth Healthcare, Dr Shahrukh Khan performs:

• Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction – Minimally invasive, small incisions, faster recovery
• Using patient’s own tendon (hamstring or patellar tendon graft)
• Hospital stay: typically 1 day
• Return to sports: usually 6–9 months with proper physiotherapy

Recovery Timeline

• Week 1–2: Pain control, reduce swelling, start gentle movement
• Week 3–6: Walking without crutches, physiotherapy starts
• Month 2–4: Strength training, stationary cycling
• Month 4–6: Jogging, sport-specific training
• Month 6–9: Return to competitive sports

Can an ACL Tear Heal Without Surgery?

A complete ACL tear cannot heal on its own because the ligament lacks blood supply. However, not every ACL tear requires surgery. The decision depends on the patient’s age, activity level, degree of instability, and associated injuries. Dr Shahrukh Khan believes in exploring non-surgical options first where appropriate.