ACL, also termed the anterior cruciate ligament, is among the major stabilising ligaments of the knee and plays a vital role in supporting the knee joint to function normally.  An injury to one of the major ligaments can make a person experience difficulty in doing daily activities like going up and down stairs, or walking across even terrains, and much more. Not all ACL injuries are equal, as some may be severe and others may be mild. If you deal with knee pain or instability in the joint, remember it needs proper assessment. Consult Dr Sumit Badhwar, one of the best orthopaedic surgeons in Noida, who will evaluate your knee appropriately and then determine the best treatment option as per the condition.  There are many cases of ACL injuries, including:

• Stopping suddenly
• Changing directions suddenly and quickly
• Slowing down while running
• Landing wrongly from a jump
• Direct collision, like with a football tacklec

Grades of ACL injuries

The ACL can be injured or torn for many reasons and in many different ways. However, the ligament plays a crucial role in rotational stability of the knee joint and can be injured when a person pivots suddenly, which is the most common cause.  ACL tears are said to be a common type of injury that sportspeople experience while playing basketball, soccer, and football, and they involve sharp pivoting.  ACL injury involves a stretched, partially or fully torn ligament, and a person might also hear a popping sound at the time of injury or tear.  Many times, the knee joint immediately swells, and you cannot put weight on it. There are cases in which people have injured their ankle but do not experience much pain or any pain.  ACL injuries are classified into :

• Grade 1
• Grade 2
• Grade 3

Grade 1 ACL injury

Grade 1 of ACL injury is considered the mildest stage of the condition, and in this stage, the ligament is stretched but not torn at all. The ACL fibres, though, may have minor tears, but the ligament is functional and offers stability to the joint. Patients with ACL  Grade 1  experience swelling, discomfort and instability but are capable of performing daily activities. The treatment options for Grade 1 ACL injury are :

• They need proper rest and should avoid certain activities that can put stress on their knees, such as running and twisting movements.
• Ice and compression is another treatment for Grade 1 as they help to reduce swelling and inflammation in joints. The doctor could advise knee braces to prevent further complications.
• Physical therapy can also work best as strengthening exercises target the calf muscles, hamstrings and more, which ultimately help to restore the stability of the joint.
• Doctors prescribe non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs to alleviate pain and inflammation.

Recovery from Grade 1 ACL injuries, which are the least severe and disruptive, may take about two to four weeks. The treatment is completely noninvasive, so the recovery time is quick.

Grade 2 ACL injury

Grade 2 ACL injury is considered a partial tear of the ligament, and the joint is damaged significantly but not entirely. However, this is a less common type, and patients experience swelling and pain during November and cannot bear weight on the infected knee joints.  The treatment of Grade 2 ACL injury :

• Rest, ice, and elevation are recommended as they offer rest and reduce further swelling.
• Barking and support can also help prevent further damage and control movement while protecting the ACL. Physical therapy also works great as it focuses on restoring the strength and range of motion of the knee joint.
• An orthopaedic doctor may also prescribe injections, like PRP, that accelerate the healing process and stimulate tissue repair.
• Surgery may also be recommended in some cases of athletes for whom knee stability is essential.

Recovery after a grade 2 ACL injury may take about six to eight months, as patients may have extensive tears of 20 to 80 per cent of the ligament. This ACL grade requires longer periods of recovery and may even need surgical repair of the ACL.

Grade 3 ACL injury

Grade 3 ACL injury is the severe stage where the patient will experience a full tear of the ligament, and the level of damage severely affects knee stability. With the Grade 3 stage, patients may experience difficulty in walking and experience severe pain, swelling, popping sounds, inability to bear weight and frequent episodes of knee buckling. The treatment includes :

• Initial management will be done by controlling the swelling and pain, and rest and ice packs will be a must.
• Surgery may be recommended and is the first-line treatment for Grade 3 ACL injuries, and is done to reconstruct a torn ligament via minimally invasive techniques.

Recovery of a Grade 3 ACL injury will take several months as it involves a complete tear of the ligament, and surgery is its primary treatment. However, the surgery is not always recommended if a patient has a lifestyle that involves mild physical activity, then recovery can be done by conservative treatments for weeks, including physical therapy.  If a doctor recommends surgery to treat a Grade 3 ACL injury, then the recovery will take a longer time.

Why to choose Dr Sumit Badhwar?

ACL injuries need proper, on-time assessment and treatment, whether it is mild or severe. Also, if you have a Grade 3 ACL injury, then the surgical option is the primary treatment. Proper diagnosis is necessary to prevent long-term complications like chronic instability. Dr Sumit Badhwar is among the top orthopaedic surgeons in Noida. By his amazing medical expertise and rehabilitation guidelines, many patients with ACL injuries regain their joint mobility, along with the confidence they lost. Regardless of this severity, Dr Sumit will help you guide all through the recovery and healing phase. He is among the top orthopaedic doctors in Noida and has a track record of smoothly leading his patients, who get back to their previous activity levels with full strength and comfort. He is one of the renowned surgeons in Noida who uses minimally invasive techniques for successful joint replacements and fracture fixation.

He has specialisations in joint replacement surgeries, arthroscopy, stem cell therapy, etc. However, the treatment of ACL injuries varies from person to person and as per the patient’s requirements. Dr Sumit Badhwar, after determining the exact cause and severity of the injury, will recommend the best treatment for you and help you attain the full strength and mobility of the joint. In early stage of ACL Injury Dr Sumit’s main goals is to minimise the swelling and regain the mobility and normalise the walking, in mid stage of the ACL injury Dr Sumit w focus will be on strength training and to restore strength and in lasts gate of third grade Dr Sumit will focus on speed, power, reactive agility to facilitate optimal outcomes.