ACL Reconstruction Alternatives

Surgery is one of the most popular treatment choices for repairing a damaged ACL. Reconstruction alternatives do exist, however, and healthcare providers may recommend these alternatives before resorting to surgery. Alternative treatments usually include activity changes, rest, medication, or physical therapy. If these ACL reconstruction alternatives are not effective in six weeks to six months, reconstruction surgery should be considered.

ACL Repair

ACL Reconstruction Alternatives: An Overview

Several alternative treatments exist for treating ACL tears.

These usually include:

Changes in activity
Rest
Medication
Physical therapy.

If these simpler treatment methods are not effective in six weeks to six months, and your doctor feels surgery will help you, an ACL reconstruction is usually recommended.

The degree of instability or weakness in your knee and your desired activity level are important factors to be considered prior to having ACL surgery. For many people, the instability is not a significant problem, and they function well by changing their activity level and enhancing their knee stability by strengthening the hamstrings through physical therapy. Other people find they cannot perform athletically or otherwise with an unstable knee and, therefore, are more apt to have the surgery.

If you have questions about ACL reconstruction alternatives after reading this article, you should discuss them with your doctor and decide which one, if any, is appropriate for you.