ACL Tear: How to Care for Your Child
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is one of the ligaments in the knee joint. A ligament is a tough, flexible band that holds the bones and cartilage of a joint together.
An ACL tear might be partial (through part of the ACL) or complete (all the way through the ACL).
Treatment for an ACL tear includes rest, physical therapy, supporting or immobilizing the knee with a brace, and possibly surgery.
To help the ACL tear heal, your child should take it easy and avoid sports and jumping, twisting, or pivoting activities and movements. Your health care provider may recommend that your child wear a brace and use crutches while healing.
Your health care provider also may recommend that your child:
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Put ice or a cold pack on the knee every 1–2 hours for 15 minutes at a time. (Put a towel over the skin to protect it from the cold.)
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Take medicine for pain such as ibuprofen (Advil®, Motrin®, or a store brand) or acetaminophen (Tylenol® or a store brand). Follow the directions that come with the medicine for how much to give and how often to give it.
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Raise the leg to help with swelling.
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Use an elastic wrap to help with pain and swelling.
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Go to physical therapy (PT) or do a home exercise program to help with stretching and strengthening.
Your health care provider will need to check your child again before he or she can go back to high-impact sports. Going back to sports too soon could cause more injury to the ACL.
Why do some ACL tears need surgery? Whether someone has surgery for a torn ACL depends on many things, including:
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whether the tear is partial or complete
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the type of activities (or sports) the person wants to do
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if the person is an athlete
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age
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other injuries to the knee
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if the knee "gives way" or feels unstable
Can we prevent another ACL tear? Training programs may help your child avoid another ACL tear. These focus on neuromuscular training (NMT). NMT teaches movement patterns that lower the risk of injury, especially while jumping, landing, and changing direction. These programs include stretching, plyometrics (jump training), and balance training.
Ask your health care provider about programs that are available in your area and online.