ACL Tear Treatment in Margao, Goa

If your knee twisted during a game, you heard a popping sound when you landed, or your knee now feels as though it might give way, an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury may be the cause. ACL tears can affect walking, climbing stairs and participating in sports, but the right treatment depends on the extent of the injury and how stable your knee remains. At Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic in Margao, Dr. Amol Narkhede, a senior orthopaedic surgeon with over 16 years of experience and more than 2,000 knee arthroscopies performed, assesses knee injuries and helps patients understand whether rehabilitation, surgery or another treatment approach is appropriate.

The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the main ligaments inside the knee. It helps control the movement of the thigh bone relative to the shin bone, particularly during sudden turns, changes in direction and landing movements.

An ACL tear occurs when this ligament is stretched beyond its capacity or ruptures. The injury can range from a partial tear to a complete tear, and it may occur alongside damage to the meniscus, cartilage or other knee ligaments.

You should consider an orthopaedic assessment if you experience:

• A popping sensation in the knee during a sudden twist or landing.
• Swelling that develops within hours of an injury.
• A feeling that your knee is unstable or might give way.
• Difficulty changing direction, turning or pivoting.
• Pain and difficulty bearing weight after a sports injury.
• Repeated episodes of knee instability during everyday activities.
• Difficulty returning to sport despite resting the knee.
• Persistent swelling or restricted movement after an injury.

These symptoms do not confirm an ACL tear on their own. Other knee injuries can cause similar problems, so the diagnosis requires an appropriate assessment.

If your knee is visibly deformed, you cannot bear weight after a significant injury, or your foot becomes cold, discoloured or numb, seek urgent medical assessment. A suspected dislocation or serious associated injury requires emergency care.

ACL injuries often occur during sports involving rapid changes of direction, jumping, landing or sudden stops. They can also happen during road accidents, falls and other traumatic events.

How does an ACL tear happen?

Common situations include:

• Changing direction suddenly while running.
• Landing awkwardly after a jump.
• Stopping abruptly while moving at speed.
• Twisting the knee while the foot remains planted.
• Sustaining a collision during football or another contact sport.
• Falling in a way that places excessive force on the knee.

An ACL injury does not always involve direct contact with another person. A sudden change in direction or an awkward landing can be enough to damage the ligament.

What does an ACL tear feel like?

Symptoms vary, but patients commonly report a combination of the following:

A popping sensation: Some people hear or feel a pop when the ligament tears. However, a pop does not necessarily mean that the ACL is damaged.

Rapid swelling: The knee may become swollen within a few hours following the injury. This can occur because of bleeding inside the joint.

Knee instability: The knee may feel loose or give way when turning, walking on uneven ground or changing direction.

Pain and restricted movement: Bending or straightening the knee may become difficult, particularly during the initial swelling.

Difficulty returning to sport: Even when the initial pain improves, the knee may not feel reliable during running, jumping or pivoting.

Some patients can walk after an ACL tear, so the ability to bear weight does not rule out a significant injury.

Can an ACL tear occur with other injuries?

Yes. ACL tears can occur alongside meniscus tears, cartilage damage or injuries to other ligaments. These associated injuries can affect treatment decisions and recovery.

That is one reason why persistent instability after a knee injury should not be ignored.

At Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic, the assessment begins with understanding how the injury occurred and how the knee has behaved since then.

Dr. Amol Narkhede takes time to listen to the patient’s account before asking questions about the injury, swelling, pain, movement and episodes of instability. He may ask whether the knee gave way immediately, whether you could continue playing and whether similar episodes have occurred previously.

Clinical examination

The examination depends on the patient’s symptoms and the condition of the knee. It may involve assessing swelling, tenderness, range of movement and knee stability using specific clinical manoeuvres.

The doctor may also examine the surrounding structures to identify signs that suggest a meniscus injury, another ligament injury or a different cause of knee pain.

When the knee is very swollen or painful, some parts of the examination may need to be repeated after the initial symptoms settle.

X-rays and MRI

Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic has digital radiography X-ray facilities on the same floor as the consultation rooms. X-rays can help identify fractures and assess the bones and joint alignment following an injury.

However, the ACL is a soft-tissue structure and cannot usually be assessed directly on a standard X-ray.

An MRI can provide a clearer view of the ACL, meniscus, cartilage and other soft tissues. It may be recommended when the clinical findings suggest a ligament tear or associated injury and the additional information would help guide treatment.

Not every suspected ACL injury requires an MRI immediately. The need for imaging depends on the examination and the clinical circumstances.

After reviewing the available findings, Dr. Narkhede can explain the likely injury and discuss the next steps.

Treatment depends on the severity of the tear, whether the knee is functionally unstable, whether other structures are injured and what you want to return to doing.

Non-surgical management

Some ACL injuries can be managed without reconstruction. This may be considered for selected partial tears, patients whose knees remain stable during their activities, or people whose activity demands do not involve frequent pivoting and sudden direction changes.

Treatment may involve activity modification, appropriate support and a structured physiotherapy programme to restore movement, strength and control.

Non-surgical treatment does not make every completely torn ACL heal back to its original structure. The objective is to improve knee function and determine whether sufficient stability can be achieved for the patient’s needs.

Physiotherapy and strengthening

Rehabilitation can help reduce stiffness, restore the knee’s range of movement and strengthen the muscles that support the joint.

Exercises may focus on the quadriceps, hamstrings, balance and neuromuscular control. The programme progresses according to the injury, swelling, strength and functional recovery.

At Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic, Dr. Rucha Narkhede practises physiotherapy independently at the same clinic. Patients can enquire about rehabilitation there when it is appropriate for their treatment plan.

ACL reconstruction surgery

ACL reconstruction may be considered when the knee remains unstable, the patient wishes to return to activities involving pivoting or cutting, or associated injuries influence the treatment decision.

During reconstruction, the damaged ligament is replaced with a graft, commonly taken from a tendon in the patient’s own body. The surgeon creates tunnels in the thigh and shin bones and secures the graft to provide a new stabilising structure.

The graft type, surgical technique and rehabilitation plan depend on the patient’s age, activity demands, associated injuries and other clinical factors.

ACL reconstruction is commonly performed arthroscopically, using a camera and specialised instruments introduced through small incisions. The precise procedure should be discussed with the operating surgeon.

When should surgery be considered?

Surgery is not automatically required for every ACL tear. However, persistent instability can make certain activities unsafe and may expose the knee to further injury.

For patients with an acute ACL tear who have an indication for reconstruction, the AAOS recommends early surgery rather than unnecessary delay because the risk of additional meniscus and cartilage injury begins to increase within three months. The appropriate timing for an individual patient depends on the injury, knee condition and treatment plan.

Understanding the stages of treatment helps patients prepare for the time and effort involved in rehabilitation.

Before surgery

The surgeon reviews the examination, imaging, associated injuries and treatment goals. Preoperative assessment may include medical history, investigations and an evaluation of whether the knee is ready for surgery.

Some patients undergo a period of rehabilitation before reconstruction to reduce swelling and restore as much movement and muscle control as possible.

During surgery

ACL reconstruction is performed in a hospital operating theatre under an anaesthesia plan selected by the surgical and anaesthesia teams.

The surgeon removes the damaged ligament remnants as required, prepares the bone tunnels and positions the graft to recreate the ligament’s stabilising function. Any associated injury that requires treatment may be addressed during the same operation.

The exact duration and surgical details depend on the complexity of the case.

Immediately after surgery

The initial recovery focuses on managing pain and swelling, protecting the reconstructed ligament and beginning appropriate movement.

Patients receive instructions about walking aids, weight-bearing, wound care and exercises. These instructions may differ depending on the graft, fixation method and whether a meniscus repair or another procedure was performed.

Rehabilitation and returning to sport

Rehabilitation is essential to recovery after ACL reconstruction. It progresses from restoring knee movement and muscle activation to strengthening, balance exercises, running and sport-specific training.

Returning to sport should not be based on a calendar alone. The knee should have adequate movement, strength, stability and functional control, with clearance from the treating team.

Many patients require around six to twelve months or longer before returning to unrestricted sport, depending on their recovery and the demands of the activity. Some patients need additional time.

Possible risks

ACL reconstruction carries risks, including infection, blood clots, stiffness, persistent instability, graft failure and complications related to the associated procedures.

Your surgeon should explain the risks relevant to your situation and the measures used to reduce them.

Arrange an orthopaedic assessment if you have persistent knee instability, recurrent swelling or difficulty returning to normal activities following a twisting injury.

A knee that repeatedly gives way should not be dismissed simply because the initial pain has subsided. The underlying problem may require further investigation and a structured treatment plan.

Seek urgent medical attention after a significant injury if you cannot bear weight, have severe swelling or pain, notice a visible deformity, or develop numbness or changes in foot colour or temperature.

Until the injury has been assessed, avoid playing through pain or repeatedly testing the knee with sudden turns and jumps.

For a non-emergency knee injury, contact Healthy Bones and Joints Clinic by phone or WhatsApp to enquire about a consultation with Dr. Amol Narkhede.

During the appointment, he listens to your concerns, asks about the injury and examines the knee. If an X-ray is indicated, digital radiography facilities are available on the same floor as the consultation rooms.

If an ACL tear is suspected, further investigation such as an MRI may be recommended. Once the available findings have been reviewed, the doctor explains the diagnosis and discusses the treatment options.

If rehabilitation is suitable, you can enquire about physiotherapy with Dr. Rucha Narkhede at the same clinic. If reconstruction is indicated, the surgical arrangements, procedure, recovery requirements and follow-up should be discussed directly with the clinic and operating team.

Both practitioners generally practise during clinic hours, subject to individual availability. Dr. Amol’s schedule may vary when he is undertaking surgery, so contact the clinic before visiting.