Have you hurt your knee during sports or exercise? Do you feel pain, swelling, or a “pop” sound from your knee? If yes, you may have an ACL tear. But don’t worry. Many people in Kolkata face this problem. And the good news is — there is treatment for it.
In this blog, Dr. Siddhant Gupta explains what an ACL tear is, how it is treated, and whether you need surgery or not.
The ACL stands for Anterior Cruciate Ligament. It is a strong band inside your knee. It holds your knee bones together. Moreover, it helps you run, jump, and change direction.
When you twist your knee suddenly, the ACL can tear. This is very common in football, cricket, badminton, and other sports.
When the ACL tears, you may notice:
If you have these signs, you should see an orthopaedic doctor quickly. Early treatment gives better results.
First, the doctor will ask about your injury. Then, the doctor will examine your knee. After that, an MRI scan is done. The MRI shows the inside of your knee clearly. It helps the doctor see how bad the tear is.
There are two main treatment options. These are:
The right choice depends on your age, activity level, and how bad the tear is.
Not every ACL tear needs surgery. For example, older patients or people who do not play sports can often recover without an operation.
Non-surgical treatment includes:
After the swelling goes down, physiotherapy begins. A physiotherapist gives you exercises. These exercises strengthen the muscles around your knee. As a result, your knee becomes more stable.
A brace supports your knee. It prevents further injury. Many patients wear a brace during daily activities.
However, if you are young and active, non-surgical treatment may not be enough. Therefore, surgery is often recommended for athletes and sporty people.
Surgery for ACL tear is called ACL Reconstruction. In this surgery, the torn ligament is replaced with a new one. The new ligament is taken from another part of your body. It is usually taken from your knee or hamstring.
The good news is — this is a keyhole surgery (arthroscopy). That means:
Surgery is usually the best option if:
Recovery after ACL surgery takes time. But with proper care, most patients do very well.
Here is what recovery looks like:
During this time, you must follow your doctor’s advice. You must also do your exercises regularly. As a result, your knee will become strong again.
If you are in Kolkata and looking for ACL tear treatment, Dr. Siddhant Gupta is here to help. He is an experienced orthopaedic and sports injury specialist. He offers both surgical and non-surgical treatment.
Dr. Gupta uses arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery techniques. Therefore, recovery is quicker and less painful. He practices at Binayak Hospital (Baranagar) and Mayfair Hospital (North Kolkata).
A partial ACL tear can sometimes heal with rest and physiotherapy. However, a complete ACL tear does not heal on its own. In that case, surgery is usually needed for full recovery.
ACL reconstruction surgery usually takes about 1 to 1.5 hours. It is done under anaesthesia. Most patients go home the same day or the next day.
The cost of ACL surgery in Kolkata depends on the hospital, technique, and implant used. Insurance and TPA support may be available.
You will not feel pain during surgery because of anaesthesia. After surgery, there is some discomfort. But doctors give medicines to manage the pain. Most patients feel much better within a few weeks.
Yes! Most patients return to full sports activity within 6 to 9 months after surgery. However, this depends on regular physiotherapy and following the doctor’s advice.
Dr. Siddhant Gupta performs ACL reconstruction at Binayak Hospital (Baranagar) and Mayfair Hospital (North Kolkata). Both hospitals offer advanced orthopaedic care.
Common signs are a “pop” sound in the knee, sudden pain, swelling, and a feeling that your knee is unstable. An MRI scan confirms the diagnosis.
If an ACL tear is left untreated, your knee becomes unstable. Over time, it can damage other parts of the knee like the cartilage and meniscus. This can lead to early arthritis.
An ACL tear is a serious injury. But it is very treatable. Whether you need surgery or not depends on your situation. Therefore, the most important step is to see a qualified orthopaedic doctor early.
Do not ignore knee pain. The sooner you get treatment, the faster and better your recovery will be.
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Binayak Enclave, 59, KC Ghosh Rd, Bidhan Park, Binayak Enclave, Sadhan Pally, Baranagar, Kolkata West Bengal 700050
Binayak Enclave, 59, KC Ghosh Rd, Bidhan Park, Binayak Enclave, Sadhan Pally, Baranagar, Kolkata West Bengal 700050