“How long does it take to recover from ACL tear without surgery?”
I was diagnosed with an ACL tear. I want to treat it. How long does it take to recover from ACL tear without surgery?
8 Answers
Usually somewhere in the 4-6 week range.
If you have a full thickness ACL tear, typically the pain and swelling resolve in a few weeks. Physical therapy during that time can help get the knee range of motion back to nearly normal. However, the knee may still be unstable. You may want to avoid cutting and twisting activities long term, if your knee is unstable. Also, with a chronic (tear treated non-operatively), there is a higher chance of meniscal tears in the knee in the future. You should discuss all these issues with your orthopedic surgeon.
Good luck.
Good luck.
Hi,
If your ACL is is the only structure injured, you can begin rehab immediately. The function will gradually return as the swelling subsides. Younger patients recover more quickly. 30 and above, typically 6-12 weeks. Early treatment targets return of motion correction of muscle inhibition. Once muscle inhibition subsides, focus shifts to strengthening to maximize knee function. In a PT supervised program, activity is progressed based on function of the knee. Exercise intensity and complexity is increased based on objective testing.
Patients engaging in start / stop and pivoting activities will need to modify or restrict activities that cause the knee to "slip" or give way. An ACL functional brace can be used to improve stability of the knee.
ACL reconstruction can return significant stability, but will not restore full function to the knee. The rule of 1/3's for ACL reconstructed knees says that 1/3 of athletes can return to unrestricted sport. 1/3 will participate, but modify activity. 1/3 of patients may have persisting symptoms severe enough to either curtail or discontinue participation.
Good luck with your knee!
If your ACL is is the only structure injured, you can begin rehab immediately. The function will gradually return as the swelling subsides. Younger patients recover more quickly. 30 and above, typically 6-12 weeks. Early treatment targets return of motion correction of muscle inhibition. Once muscle inhibition subsides, focus shifts to strengthening to maximize knee function. In a PT supervised program, activity is progressed based on function of the knee. Exercise intensity and complexity is increased based on objective testing.
Patients engaging in start / stop and pivoting activities will need to modify or restrict activities that cause the knee to "slip" or give way. An ACL functional brace can be used to improve stability of the knee.
ACL reconstruction can return significant stability, but will not restore full function to the knee. The rule of 1/3's for ACL reconstructed knees says that 1/3 of athletes can return to unrestricted sport. 1/3 will participate, but modify activity. 1/3 of patients may have persisting symptoms severe enough to either curtail or discontinue participation.
Good luck with your knee!
This is America and you don't have to have your ACL fixed, but without an ACL a knee gets meniscus tears, and chondral lesions, which lead to early arthritis of the knee. Without surgery, 4-6 weeks, but the knee may be unstable or "give out" on you.
Hope it helps!!
Dr. Bose
Hope it helps!!
Dr. Bose
Good quality rehab exercise plus brace about 3-4 months.If you have additional damages such as meniscal tears or hope to do sports non-surgical approach may not be enough.
Hello! Thanks for sharing your question with the FATD community. I am sorry to read about your ACL tear. I appreciate your allowing me to give you my thoughts, tips and suggestions regarding this question.
The ACL is a rope-like structure that connects the thigh and leg bone together in the knee. It provides stability in the front-to-back plane and during rotation (torsion). ACL tears can be partial or complete. A complete or near-complete tear can lead to feelings of instability to the knee and the main bones of the knee (tibia and femur). A partial tear, and some complete tears, give pain more than feelings of instability. An unstable knee due to an ACL tear should be stabilized. This will decrease the likelihood that the knee will become painfully eroded and damaged over the life of the knee. Therefore, to ‘recover’ from an unstable knee due to ACL tear is more short-lived rather than long-term, especially if you plan on staying active and participating in sporting activities.
If the pain resolves, there are minimal to no feelings of instability (upon sudden stops, dancing, cutting back and forth while running, or swimming/stair climbing), the motion returns to ‘full’, and the muscles are strong around the knee, then ‘recovery’ has occurred. This can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months. However, this takes desire, determination, and knowledge of what things to do in order to maximize ‘recovery’ outcomes. I like to use this link to find the best ‘exercises’ for recovery:
https://www.pop-doc.com/browse.cgi?&action=browse_results&category1=Knee&category2=Injury/Condition
I hope this helps.
David T. Neuman, MD FAAOS
The ACL is a rope-like structure that connects the thigh and leg bone together in the knee. It provides stability in the front-to-back plane and during rotation (torsion). ACL tears can be partial or complete. A complete or near-complete tear can lead to feelings of instability to the knee and the main bones of the knee (tibia and femur). A partial tear, and some complete tears, give pain more than feelings of instability. An unstable knee due to an ACL tear should be stabilized. This will decrease the likelihood that the knee will become painfully eroded and damaged over the life of the knee. Therefore, to ‘recover’ from an unstable knee due to ACL tear is more short-lived rather than long-term, especially if you plan on staying active and participating in sporting activities.
If the pain resolves, there are minimal to no feelings of instability (upon sudden stops, dancing, cutting back and forth while running, or swimming/stair climbing), the motion returns to ‘full’, and the muscles are strong around the knee, then ‘recovery’ has occurred. This can take anywhere from 3 weeks to 3 months. However, this takes desire, determination, and knowledge of what things to do in order to maximize ‘recovery’ outcomes. I like to use this link to find the best ‘exercises’ for recovery:
https://www.pop-doc.com/browse.cgi?&action=browse_results&category1=Knee&category2=Injury/Condition
I hope this helps.
David T. Neuman, MD FAAOS
3 months
At least a month, but often needs surgery.
