Torn acl how long to heal

Gentle stretches and strengthening exercises can help people:. Although it can take many months to recover from an ACL injury, with the right treatment and follow-up care, most people are able to return to their regular activities.

However, anyone who has experienced an ACL tear has a greater risk of developing osteoarthritis in the injured knee. ACL injuries are common but serious. Most of these injuries take place during sports that involve sudden starts and stops, pivoting, and jumping.

Females are more at risk of ACL injuries than males. Treatment for an ACL injury may be limited to physical therapy and knee support, but a doctor may recommend surgery for more active people. Recovery from an ACL injury can take months, and it may be more than 7 months before a person can play sports again. A person who has had an ACL injury faces a greater risk of knee injuries in the future. It may help to take precautions and speak to a physical therapist about ways to reduce this risk.

The knee is one of the body's more complicated joints and is susceptible to various injuries. Not all are severe, but some can last longer than others…. The knee is the largest and most complex joint in the body, holding together the thigh bone, shin bone, fibula on the outer side of the shin , and…. Probably the most futuristic approach would involve generating an entirely new ACL in the lab for transplant into the patient. Help me find… Search Search. You may also like:. Grandview Medical Center is convenient, easy to access off of Interstate Grandview Hospital: a hub for orthopedic surgical expertise.

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These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. Necessary Necessary. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. You should gradually be able to return to your normal level of activity between 6 weeks and 6 months after your knee operation. You'll be encouraged to continue with activities such as cycling and swimming but should avoid sports that involve a lot of twisting, jumping or turning.

This is because you need to allow enough time for the grafted tissue to anchor itself in place inside your knee. Some people may need to take more time before feeling confident enough to play sports again, and elite athletes may need longer to return to their previous level of performance. How quickly you can return to work after having knee surgery will depend on what your job involves.

If you do any form of manual labour, it could be up to 3 months before you can return to work, depending on your work activities. Your GP can advise you on when you can drive again. This will usually be after 3 to 4 weeks, or whenever you can comfortably put weight on your foot. Page last reviewed: 14 June Next review due: 14 June These symptoms are temporary and should start to improve after about a week.

Surgery is also recommended for athletes or those who engage in activities that involve pivotal motions. Treatment requires replacing the ACL with a substitute graft. The surgical choices are:. It is sometimes possible for an ACL tear to heal without having surgery.

Your doctor may recommend physical therapy and bracing if you do not have any additional knee damage. Physical therapy strengthens muscles using special exercises. Rehabilitation can repair the knee until it is close to its pre- injured condition. It lowers swelling and preserves mobility. Not everyone will be able to treat an ACL tear non-surgically.

Patients who make good candidates for non-surgical treatment are:. The recovery time is shorter when using rehabilitation and will need to be monitored by your orthopedist.