How can i protect my knees while/after playing if i have a torn ACL?

[Oldracquet27]

I am a 38 year woman, very fit, but i torn my acl 8 years ago while running, it was painful for one week but later it healed and i never felt anything again. I started playing tennis 4 years ago and if i play too much in a week i feel the knee swollen , i still can play but not 100%, my fear is that is gonna get worse and worse with the time, how can i help myself without surgery for now.?

 

[GetBetterer]

Certain braces may help. Although I think this better go under Health & Fitness.

 

[CP3]

I'm not sure if I understand this post.

My understanding is that ACL tears do not heal on their own. Certainly not within a week's time.

Even after surgery, the typical timeline for returning to sports is about one year.

Also, an ACL tear will lead to a lot of instability in the knee even while walking, much less running.

I would suggest seeing a doctor, getting an MRI and finding out exactly what condition your knee is in.

 

[Off The Wall]

I'm not sure if I understand this post.

My understanding is that ACL tears do not heal on their own. Certainly not within a week's time.

Even after surgery, the typical timeline for returning to sports is about one year.

Also, an ACL tear will lead to a lot of instability in the knee even while walking, much less running.

I would suggest seeing a doctor, getting an MRI and finding out exactly what condition your knee is in.

I've had an ACL reconstruction. I agree with CP3.

 

[ProgressoR]

same here, I have had ACL reconstruction. A small tear can heal, but a ruptured ligament will not heal without surgery.

Best to see a specialist who can check for instability in the knee and if there is some, then consider your options - ie do you need surgery?

even if not, then do plenty of exercises to strengthen the quads, they hold the knee cap in place, and wear knee supports.

If it feels weak, then I wouldnt risk it. if it is a tiny bit painful but doesnt feel weak, then you could consider it, up to you.

Good luck.

 

[anchorage]

If you recovered in one week, you have absolutely nothing to fear with regard to ACL. However, you seem to have a different problem now.

I damaged my ligament about eighteen months ago. I thought I might be ready to get back on court after about three months; that was a mistake.

I 'came back' playing doubles as I knew I couldn't take on the mobility required by singles. Even so, there was no way I could play on conscutive days because the knee would be too sore.

I've done a lot of strengthening since then but the knee is still not perfect. Most of the time I feel nothing & it's fine. Every now & then, it hurts or I get a distinct twinge & think, better be careful.

Interestingly, with this type of injury, you make subconscious compensations. For example, you tend to keep most of your weight on the other leg!

 

[HugoBossDB]

This isn't the kind of issue you want resolved by forum opinions. Go directly to your physician and have your condition professionally evaluated.

Beyond that talk to a sports therapist about your specific needs.

 

[604al]

I've also had ACL reconstruction. If you actually DID tear your ACL, I mean MRI confirmed, then I doubt you'd have the stability to pivot like required in alot of sports. I was able to run straight with an ACL, but not pivot.

That being said, you can try a custom knee brace if you're not going to have surgery. I have the Donjoy Defiance 3 for when I'm playing contact sports and snowboarding. I don't believe I need it, but it definitely helps mentally.

Leg strengthening exercises will also help.

This is tricky, but I remember a sports therapist telling me that if you're able to contract your leg muscles prior to impact/movement, the muscles alone will be able to help keep your knee stable.

If you twist your knee however, you risk damaging other ligaments. You'll know if you do... I twisted mine a few times before I had reconstruction.

 

[NLBwell]

If the knee is unstable (whether from ACL or other reason), you will be banging the cartilage around. This will result in damage to the cartilage as well as swelling and pain. You need to see the doctor and find out what the cause of the problem is.

If you did have a full rupture of your ACL, you should have a custom (prescription) brace on whenever you play sports to keep the knee stable. Many people do go through life without having their ACL's repaired, but playing sports requires a brace or will wear out your knee.

In terms of what 604 said, when I tore my ACL initially, my leg muscles were so strong that even the initial doctor's evaluation didn't find it. I was running and even playing tennis on it, it just felt a bit loose. What gave it away was throwing a football with my son. You pivot on the front leg, especially the knee, to do this. When I threw the football, I just fell over sideways every time like Arte Johnson on the little tricycle in the old Laugh-In show - pretty funny looking.

 

[CP3]

Does cartilage damage always or almost always result in swelling?

I know of athletes who have problems with swelling in the knees but don't have cartilage damage.

I guess what I am asking is: what are the specific symptoms of cartilage damage.

Oh, and OP: I sure hope this thread is encouraging you to visit a doctor and get a proper evaluation before trying anything athletic.

If the knee is unstable (whether from ACL or other reason), you will be banging the cartilage around. This will result in damage to the cartilage as well as swelling and pain. You need to see the doctor and find out what the cause of the problem is.

If you did have a full rupture of your ACL, you should have a custom (prescription) brace on whenever you play sports to keep the knee stable. Many people do go through life without having their ACL's repaired, but playing sports requires a brace or will wear out your knee.

In terms of what 604 said, when I tore my ACL initially, my leg muscles were so strong that even the initial doctor's evaluation didn't find it. I was running and even playing tennis on it, it just felt a bit loose. What gave it away was throwing a football with my son. You pivot on the front leg, especially the knee, to do this. When I threw the football, I just fell over sideways every time like Arte Johnson on the little tricycle in the old Laugh-In show - pretty funny looking.

 

[NLBwell]

Does cartilage damage always or almost always result in swelling?

I know of athletes who have problems with swelling in the knees but don't have cartilage damage.

I guess what I am asking is: what are the specific symptoms of cartilage damage.

Oh, and OP: I sure hope this thread is encouraging you to visit a doctor and get a proper evaluation before trying anything athletic.

Damage to the cartilage and swelling in the knees are not necessarily related, but is most often the case. Symptom of cartilage damage is swelling after activity. Also, there can be clicking or even catching. It could be chondromalacia, which is roughness from wear or it could be nicks and tears in the cartilage, or even bits of cartilage floating around in the knee.
The OP should visit the doctor.

 

[netguy]

Visit a doctor. He/She might put you in two to five months of physical therapy. In my case, (I had the same symptoms you described), I was back playing tennis by the fourth month, just once a week. After seven months I was playing three times a week, and after a year 4 times. You are 7 years younger than me, so your healing process might be a bit faster. Good luck!