The thought that often follows is, “I hope it’s not an ACL”.
For years, an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury has meant surgery and a lengthy recovery, but recent research is challenging this norm.
The ACL plays a key role in knee stability, preventing the shin from sliding too far forward on the thigh bone, as well as controlling rotation.
Given the serious impact of ACL injuries, extensive research has focused on how best to treat them. Recently, several surprising findings have emerged.
1. Returning to sport is sometimes possible without an ACL
While it’s well-known that athletes who do not return to sports that require pivoting on the knee (i.e. football, netball, tennis) can often live an active life without surgery, new evidence suggests some athletes can return to elite levels of sport—even with a ruptured ACL.
There are examples of professional rugby, soccer, and cricket players who have demonstrated that it’s possible to perform at the highest level with a perfectly functional knee without the ligament intact.
2. ACL healing without surgery
A recent study found that 30% of people who chose not to undergo surgery for a ruptured ACL had a healed ligament when scanned two years later.
This challenges the long-held belief that the ACL cannot heal on its own, offering hope for non-surgical recovery options in some cases.
3. New knee brace protocol shows promise
A promising new knee brace protocol involves locking the knee at a 90-degree bend for several weeks after the injury, then gradually straightening it.
Preliminary data suggests this approach could improve the chances of the ligament healing naturally.
Depending on a few factors relating to what part of the ligament was ruptured, up to 90% of those put through this protocol had a successfully healed ligament when scanned at the end of the rehab process.
While I suspect there will always be a role for surgery often of ACL ruptures, as more data from these big studies comes to light, I expect a greater percentage of athletes will choose to manage their injury without surgery.
If you suffer an ACL tear, it’s crucial to consult an expert you trust to help you work through the various management options and establish the best pathway for you.
Pat Arnold is a Director and Sports Physiotherapist at Echuca Moama Physiotherapy. Appointments with Pat and his colleagues can be made by calling 5480 0860 or booking online at echucamoamaphysio.com.au
