Can you diagnose a torn ACL without an MRI?

Although many ACL tears can be diagnosed without medical imaging,1 a doctor may order one or more diagnostic medical imaging tests to confirm the presence and determine the severity of an ACL injury. X-rays gives doctors a view of a person’s bones.

When do you need an MRI for ACL?

When the ACL tears more gradually there is often no specific moment or pop; knee pain and a sense that your knee cannot hold your weight comes on gradually. A ligament, like cartilage, does not show up on x-ray; therefore, a torn ACL is best seen on MRI and does not show up on x-ray.

Can a fully torn ACL heal itself?

The ACL cannot heal on its own because there is no blood supply to this ligament. Surgery is usually required for athletes because the ACL is needed in order to safely perform the sharp movements that are required in sports.

Can you leave an ACL tear without surgery?

But full ACL tears cannot be healed without surgery. If your activities do not involve making pivoting movements on the knee, physical therapy rehabilitation may be all you need. Special exercises may help train the musculature around the knee to compensate for the torn ACL and stabilize the joint.

Do you need a MRI to diagnose an ACL tear?

There are some injuries, like ACL tears, that don’t always need an MRI . Often the history and physical exam can prove that a patient tore his or her ACL without the MRI. In other situations, we might need the MRI for an ACL tear.

What is the recovery time for a torn ACL?

ACL tear surgery recovery and rehab typically lasts anywhere from six months to a year. The exact ACL tear recovery time varies from person to person as this depends upon the person’s age, health and commitment to the rehab program, not to mention the severity of the ACL injury.

What can I do about a torn ACL?

The ACL connects your thighbone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia). It’s most commonly torn during sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction – such as basketball, soccer, tennis and volleyball. An ACL injury is a tear or sprain of the anterior cruciate (KROO-she-ate) ligament (ACL) – one of the major ligaments in your knee.

Does a torn ACL require surgery?

The most severe ACL injuries will require open surgery, in which an incision is made in the skin, allowing the surgeon to directly access the torn tissues in need of replacement or repair. An arthroscopic surgery is far less invasive, and most ACL injuries can be treated with this type of reconstructive knee surgery.