ACL tear is one of the most common knee injuries nowadays. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the main ligaments stabilizing the knee joint. When the ACL tears, it can only heal through arthroscopic knee surgery in Turkey.
The ACL injury is considered a widespread injury in the knee that can occur in athletes who play sports like football, basketball, and volleyball, as well as in individuals who engage in physical labor. Follow along to learn about this ligament and how it’s managed in Turkey if torn.
The anterior cruciate ligament
Your knees consist of bones, ligaments, tendons, and cartilage. The anterior cruciate ligament is a strong cord-like structure located in the center of the knee joint, stretching from the thigh bone to the shinbone. It’s one of the four main ligaments in your knee, along with the posterior cruciate ligament, medial collateral ligament, and lateral collateral ligament.
The primary function of the anterior cruciate ligament is to prevent forward movement and rotation of the shinbone on the thigh bone. When the anterior ligament tear happens, it can cause pain, knee collapse, audible or palpable popping sensation, and immediate swelling at the time of injury.
An ACL tear can occur in anyone at any age, but females are four times more likely to tear the ACL than males. Researchers haven’t reached a consensus on why females are more prone to tears.
Some believe it’s due to differences in physical adaptation, neuromuscular control, or muscle strength. Others think it’s due to differences in pelvic and lower leg alignment, ligament laxity, or how estrogen affects a woman’s ligaments. Differences in how women jump and land could also be a factor.
The type of treatment you receive is up to you; many people with anterior cruciate ligament tears opt for surgery to return to their pre-injury activity level. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery is one of the standard surgical procedures in Turkey, and with modern advancements in arthroscopic surgery, it can be performed with minimal incisions and low risk.
Advancements in arthroscopic surgery have allowed surgeons to improve visualization inside the knee joint and work on it through small incisions. It’s now possible to see and treat torn ligaments during arthroscopic joint surgery with lower surgical risks than before. Surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis, meaning you can leave the hospital and return home on the same day of the procedure.
Types of ACL tears
Tears can be partial or complete, and your doctor will classify your knee’s ACL damage on a scale from one to three, with grade three being the most severe:
- Grade 1: The ligament tears but still performs its function in stabilizing the knee joint.
- Grade 2: The ligament tears and becomes partially detached (this category is rare).
- Grade 3: This involves a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament and separation of the ends from each other – it’s a highly severe injury.
ACL tears often occur with injuries to the lateral or medial collateral ligaments, meniscus, or joint capsule.
Causes of ACL tear
Most anterior cruciate ligament tears are non-contact injuries, meaning they’re not caused by another player kicking your knee, for example. The ACL tear can occur in several ways, including:
- Sudden stopping while running.
- Slowing down while running.
- Landing awkwardly after a jump.
- Suddenly, changing direction while running or pivoting the knee.
- Colliding with another person, as in football interference.
Fatigue is considered a significant factor in anterior cruciate ligament injuries; when an exhausted athlete makes a split-second decision to perform an unexpected move, they may make a wrong move that results in an ACL tear, such as landing with their knees inward, for example.
Sometimes, other damage occurs with an ACL tear; there may be damage to other ligaments or the articular cartilage (the knee’s shock absorbers that protect it from pressure and friction).
70% of people with an ACL tear have damage to the articular cartilage.
Symptoms of ACL tear
ACL tear symptoms may include:
- Severe pain in the knee.
- Swelling may start immediately and last for two to four weeks.
- Loss of normal range of motion in the knee.
- Instability and weakness in the knee.
- Discomfort when walking.
Diagnosing ACL injury
Part of diagnosing an ankle ligament tear in Turkey involves ruling out other possible causes of knee pain. Your doctor may request an X-ray to ensure there are no bone fractures, and they’ll take a medical history and ask specific questions about knee pain, such as:
- How did you injure your knee?
- When did the injury occur?
- When did the swelling start?
- Which part of your knee hurts?
- Did you hear a sound when the injury occurred?
- Have you torn your ACL before?
They’ll then examine the injured knee and compare it to your other knee – this examination is highly accurate in detecting anterior cruciate ligament tears.
An MRI scan may be requested because ligaments appear on MRI images, and an ACL tear will be visible. However, this may not be necessary because comparing the knees on a simple X-ray may reveal the ACL tear.
ACL treatment without surgery
If you’re not a highly active athlete, you may choose not to undergo surgery. However, an ACL tear will not heal on its own.
Non-surgical treatments for a torn ACL include physical therapy and bracing:
- Bracing: Wearing a brace around your knee helps stabilize it. You may need to use crutches to avoid putting weight on the injured leg.
- Physical therapy: Exercises help work your knee, strengthen the muscles around it, and provide support. They are also essential after surgery.
If you’ve had an accident leading to an anterior cruciate ligament tear and don’t want surgery, follow your healthcare provider’s instructions, including those from your physical therapist. Work diligently in your physical therapy, and take medications as prescribed.
Keep in mind that if you choose not to undergo ligament tear surgery, you’re more susceptible to re-injury in your knee due to the loss of one of the ligaments supporting the knee.
Anterior cruciate ligament surgery
ACL tear surgery is performed in Turkey in one of two ways:
Open surgery
During ACL injury therapies, the torn ACL is repaired by grafting tissue from elsewhere in your body, such as the knee tendons from the back of the thigh or the patellar tendon from the front of the knee.
Occasionally, a cadaver tendon from a deceased person who donated their body for research is used, typically in older individuals who are still active. Due to higher tear rates, the Cadaver tendons are not usually used in young athletes.
Minimally invasive surgery
In arthroscopic ACL knee surgeries, the surgeon uses an arthroscope (a thin tube-like instrument) instead of making a large incision in the knee. The surgeon inserts the arthroscope and surgical tools through small incisions in your knee. The duration of arthroscopic ACL tear surgery ranges from one to one and a half hours.
Delaying the torn ACL treatment may require joint replacement if the joint surface wears severely.
After ACL knee surgery
After ACL injury treatment, you’ll need to keep your wound clean and dry. Ice will help reduce swelling and pain; you can use a brace and crutches. At the Beylikdüzü Medical Center, you’ll receive physical therapy to strengthen your knee and the surrounding muscles.
In the first few days after ACL treatments, you’ll perform exercises with a limited range of motion, simple strengthening exercises, and some weightlifting exercises. By the end of the first week, physical therapy will begin to help you perform advanced strengthening and balance activities.
Sports-specific activities, such as full knee bending, running, jumping, and agility training, will be added to the rehabilitation program after therapy for ACL tear at around 12-16 weeks.
How long does an ACL tear take to heal?
As for the recovery time from ACL treatment, the athlete should be able to return to normal activity after about six to nine months of ACL tear surgery.
Cost of ACL surgery in Turkey
The price of ACL tear treatment varies from patient to patient depending on the degree of tear, the patient’s health condition, and the method of ACL knee surgery.
At Beylikdüzü Medical Center, we utilize state-of-the-art devices and surgical techniques to achieve the best results. We also contract with the best surgeons in Turkey who hold a professorial degree in joint and bone surgery.
Generally, the cost of arthroscopic ACL tear surgery in Turkey ranges between $4,000 to $6,000. Contact us for a free medical consultation to get an accurate price at Beylikdüzü Medical Center.
Risks of ACL tear surgery
Like any other surgical procedure, ACL rupture surgery also has some complications. These risks can be minimized to the lowest extent when the surgeon is experienced enough to perform the procedure. Before undergoing surgery, the doctor will discuss with you all the potential risks, which may include:
- Infection: Rare but still poses a risk in any surgery.
- Stiffness in the knee after anterior cruciate ligament surgery: Common, but physical therapy will help reduce it.
- Virus transmission: Receiving a graft from a cadaver comes with the risk of contracting diseases such as Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis C.
- Deep vein thrombosis: Life-threatening but rare, blood clots may travel to the bloodstream and cause blockage in the lungs or stroke.
- Knee pain after anterior cruciate ligament surgery: A common complication when using a patellar tendon graft.
- Growth plate injury: Early anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in children or adolescents may lead to growth plate injury. If possible, the surgeon will delay the procedure until skeletal maturity or use special techniques to avoid growth plate injury.
Can you live with an ACL tear?
In some cases, it is possible to live with an anterior cruciate ligament tear, but it depends on several factors, including the person’s activity level and the extent of the knee injury.
The difference between an ACL tear and a rupture
Rupture:
Definition: A rupture means the anterior cruciate ligament has completely or partially split or separated. It can be either a full or partial rupture.
Tear:
Definition: A tear refers to damage to the fibers that make up the ligament without complete separation. A tear can be mild (a partial injury) or severe.
Preventing ACL injury
Studies indicate that training programs supervised by sports health specialists to improve athletes’ leg strength, jumping, and landing techniques have significantly reduced the rates of ACL tears in basketball, volleyball, and soccer.
Some specialized techniques can enhance anterior cruciate ligament safety, improve performance, and increase vertical jump height, acceleration, and ability to change direction.
Nothing can completely prevent ACL tears. However, exploring potential causes and enhancing prevention strategies can reduce the risk of ACL tears and its frustrating consequences, especially in athletes.
In conclusion, an ACL tear may temporarily prevent you from working in your job or engaging in the sports you love. Remember that your recovery depends on your choices, whether using crutches, undergoing surgery, or diligently working in your physical therapy, among others. You can contact us for free to know the best treatment options for your condition and how to return to everyday life as soon as possible.
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