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Your knees play a major role in terms of mobility and support. The impact can be adverse when something goes wrong in one of your knee joints. Fortunately, multi speciality medical practice Oklahoma city can help you resolve the issue to regain your full function. One of the common knee problems is damage to your ACL. The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is a ligament that connects the tibia to the femur as well as stabilizes the knee joint. While the ligament is strong, it’s still susceptible to breakage, particularly if you engage in intense sporting activities. So, how do you know you have an injured ACL? Here is a look at five signs to look out for.
A Popping Noise
An ACL tear occurs when you suddenly change direction or stop abruptly. When this occurs, most people report an audible popping sound which shows that the ligament is torn. However, even if you don’t hear the pop sound, you might feel the pop in your knee or feel like the kneel is giving way.
Swelling And Pain
Like any other injury, an ACL tear can be painful. Knee pain normally occurs immediately after the injury. The pain severity depends on the extent of the damage. Also, your knee will swell within twenty-four hours. This is because blood floods in the vessels, crisscrossing the ligament, causing a distorted swollen joint. If the swelling doesn’t disappear in two days, it is a sign of an ACL tear.
Decreased Range of Motion
Another common indicator of an ACL tear is reduced motion range. Although you can bear weight on your injured knee, if you find it hard to make some movements, there is a possibility that you have ACL ligament damage. If you are straining to move, talk to your doctor for an examination.
Difficulty To Move Around
If you find it to bear your weight and walk around during your early days of a knee injury, it is a clear sign of ACL tear and damage to your knee.
Knee Instability
If you injure your knee and go through the initial swelling and pain without treatment, you can do your daily activity. However, if you have torn your ACL, your knee is less reliable. Your ACL facilitates back-and-forth knee movements, offers rotational stability, and prevents the tibia from sliding out in front of the femur. An ACL tear often makes the knee unstable and weak. If you have unresolved ACL damage, your knee will not be as stable as it was.
Living with a painful or swollen knee can lower your life quality. Therefore, if these signs are familiar, you should seek immediate medical care. Without proper treatment, you could further damage your knee. Your doctor will examine your symptoms and offer the best treatment. The RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method is recommended immediately after the injury. For a partial tear, resting and physical therapy effectively overcome the injury. However, if your ACL is severely damaged, you might need to undertake restoration surgery for complete recovery.
