Treatment Options

"Pathways to Recovery: Exploring Treatment Options"

Treatment options vary for the severity of the tear, but it is recommended to treat your tear if you plan to continue athletic movement.

“Dr. Tjong says that when an ACL is completely torn, surgeons will use a donor ligament or tendon — typically your own hamstring tendons, quad tendon or patellar tendon — to replace it”

This quote explains the surgical process used to treat a completely torn ACL, emphasizing the severity of the injury and the complexity of its repair. Dr. Tjong describes how surgeons typically reconstruct the damaged ligament using a graft, often made from the patient’s own tissues, such as the hamstring tendons, quadriceps tendon, or patellar tendon.

Nonsurgical Treatment is best for:

Partial tears
Less active individuals
People not returning to pivot-heavy sports

Treatments include:

Physical Therapy: Focus on strengthening quads, hamstrings, glutes, and core to stabilize the knee.
Bracing: Some people use a functional brace during activity to support the knee.
Activity Modification: Avoiding high-risk movements like cutting or pivoting.

Surgical Treatment is best for:

Complete tears

Athletes or active people wanting to return to sports
People with knee instability during normal activities

Procedure includes

Torn ACL is replaced with a graft, usually from:
Patellar tendon (BPTB)
Hamstring tendon
Quadriceps tendon
Allograft

Recovery Timeline

Phase 1 (0–2 weeks): Reduce swelling, regain extension, start light movement.
Phase 2–3 (2–12 weeks): Progress strength, ROM, and balance work.
Phase 4 (3–6 months): More dynamic strength + neuromuscular control.
Return to Sport: Usually 9–12 months, sometimes longer depending on progress.