Some Knee Injuries Require ACL Repair

Written By: Sara Loch

When physical activity is an important part of your daily routine, it can be difficult to deal when you become sidelined with an injury.  For many people, especially women, those injuries are often to the knee.  If the pain is mild, it can be tempting to tough it out and continue with your activity, but pain is your body’s way of telling you that something is wrong and you should take time to evaluate and care for your injury.  A mild knee injury may require only rest and ice, but more severe injuries may require surgery such as ACL repair.

About the knee

The knee joint is made up of 3 bones and 4 main ligaments.  These can be injured though overuse, a twisting motion, a blow, or other trauma.  Common knee injuries include:

• Sprains or strains: These usually affect the muscles or ligaments and if severe may require ACL repair surgery Washington DC.
• Torn cartilage: Cartilage acts as a shock absorber for your joints. A severe tear may require a knee surgery that is different from ACL repair Washington DC.
• Tendonitis: Tendons connect muscles to bones and overuse can result in pain and inflammation.
• Arthritis: Osteoarthritis is a degenerative disease that often affects the knee. It results in the cartilage in the joints gradually wearing away.  Instead of ACL reconstruction surgery DC, severe cases sometimes require total knee replacement surgery.
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ACL surgery Washington DC and other treatments

If the pain in your knee is dull and mild, you may want to start with ice, elevation, and rest.  When the pain has gone away completely, consider wearing a knee brace when you get back to your activity.  If the pain comes back every time you do your activity, you may want to stop and visit a doctor.  Moderate pain and a knee that still supports your weight will not likely require ACL surgery Washington DC, but it could be that you have another problem that may get worse if not diagnosed and treated.  A knee injury with severe pain, obvious disfigurement, or that prevents the knee from holding your weight should always be looked at by a doctor.  It could mean that you have a torn ACL and that you need ACL surgery DC or that you have another severe injury.  Visit www.medstarwashington.org to learn more about ACL repair Washington DC.