ACL Injuries

Anterior Cruciate Insufficiency

When the ACL is partially or completely torn, the knee’s stability may be compromised; also known as an ACL Insufficiency. ACL Insufficiency may also cause excessive sliding forward and twisting movement of the tibia on the femur. This may result in an increased amount of friction on the meniscus and cartilage of the knee. Individuals with an ACL Insufficiency may be more likely to experience meniscus and cartilage damage after the original ACL injury, mainly when the individual participates in sports or other activities that involve strenuous movements on the knee joint.

Causes

The ACL can be injured when:

• The knee experiences a hyperextended (bent backward), side-to-side or twisting motion. This normally occurs when the foot is planted;
• The knee experiences a high impact blow directly to the joint;
• A sudden cutting, stopping, or twisting motion occurs, or a hard landing from a jump.

An ACL band injury in the knee is usually caused by sports or fitness activities that put a lot of strain on the joint.

Pain Management

After the ACL is injured, you should seek a full evaluation from a pain management specialist or licensed healthcare provider. Treatment may consist of the following, depending on the severity of the injury:

• Clinical evaluation, including a physical exam, X-rays, and MRI in more severe Grade III and Grade IV injuries;
• Use of ice and immobilization to help stabilize and rest the joint;
• Anti-inflammatory medication and other pain medications;
• “Progression” an immobilizing device to help stabilize the joint;
• Surgery may be needed for certain ACL tears.

The medical treatment of an ACL tear will depend on several different variables, which include:

• Severity, which can be a partial or a complete tear of the ACL ligament;
• The possibility that other structures were affected;
• The patient’s activity level, lifestyle, occupation, etc.;
• Your age is a factor when deciding whether to have surgical reconstruction.

Treating an injured ACL surgically is usually the best option for patients with active lifestyles. During a surgical procedure, the specialist replaces the damaged ligament with a tendon from another part of the body. If the patient has a full knee extension, the procedure can be performed immediately after the injury.

A Conservative Treatment Plan

Following a complete examination of the knee, our pain management and injury doctor may recommend a course of physical therapy for the following reasons:

• Taking into account the individual’s age, activity level, lifestyle, occupation or amount of instability, and pain management, physical therapy may be the best option. This is especially true for a partial ACL tear;
• If there is a lot of swelling, pain, or loss of range of motion, it is recommended that the individual seek the opinion of a pain management specialist to improve the condition of the knee in preparation for surgery or to determine if a surgical intervention is necessary;
• Once the proper diagnosis is made, the specialist and the patient can develop a plan of care on how to permanently alleviate the pain;
• If deemed necessary, the pain management specialist can then provide the necessary intervention for immediate pain relief.

Our top-rated pain management doctors and specialists in New Jersey provide pain relief and rehabilitation care. Visit our injury clinic in New Jersey and meet leading pain doctors and specialists. Our rehabilitation centers are among the best in the region. Our doctors are affiliated with the top-rated hospitals in New Jersey, including RWJ Barnabas and Morristown Medical Center. Physicians working at Redefine Healthcare contribute to many prominent media outlets and are the best injury doctors in NJ.