Is Surgical Treatment Required For Full Thickness Tear Of ACL And Cartilage?

Posted on Fri, 20 Nov 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 20 Nov 2015 Answered on

Tue, 8 Dec 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : I am a 56 year old female weight 288 lb and do not play sports. I have seen an Orthopedic doctor for my ACL Complete tear & cartlidge tear. the doctor REFUSES to do the surgery. because of my age weight & do no play sports. he wants to do PT only and refuses to give us other options. can u give Me a second opinion doctor. I am my husband's care giver and need to be as close to 100% as possible.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (22 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Surgery needed if it is a full thickness tear.

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Thanks for posting your query.
If you have a full thickness tear of ACL and cartilage then a surgical repair is the best option for you. Due to the excessive body weight, you are not a good candidate for surgery. If it is only a partial thickness tear then conservative treatment like rest and physiotherapy can cause a gradual healing in 8-10 weeks.
It is best to get an MRI scan done and find out the extent of tear that you have. In case it is a full thickness tear then do plan for a surgical repair.
I hope this answers your query.
In case you have additional questions or doubts, you can forward them to me, and I shall be glad to help you out.
Wishing you good health.
Regards.
Dr. Praveen Tayal.
For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL XXXX

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (4 hours later)

On October 15 I had an MRI done and that is when my PCP found the ACL torn in 1/2 & the torn cartlidge. Would it be in my best interest to ask my pcp for a second opinion. My Pcp told me that the only way to fix my ACL WOULD BE SURGURY. I have tried to get into a gym to loose weight but the gyms refuse me because my ACL is torn and to come back when you have your ACL is fixed and u are released from your doctor.

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (3 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Get a second opinion.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thanks for writing again.
If the ACL is completely torn then surgical repair is the only option. It is best to consult your PCP and ask for a second opinion. Exercise is not advisable with a torn ligament.
Hope my answer is helpful.
Do accept my answer in case there are no further queries.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (18 hours later)

if the surgery is done approximately what would be the recovery & rehab time for the ACL reconstruction surgery ?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (6 hours later)

Brief Answer:
3-4 weeks usually.

Detailed Answer:
After a surgical repair it takes 3-4 weeks to return to normal activities. Regular physiotherapy is needed to regain the muscle strength and flexibility.
Regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (19 minutes later)

Thank you for all your advice and answering mine & my husbands questions. The answers u provided us with are the same questions we have been trying to ask my Ortho doctor and refuses to answer. it's like talking to a XXXXXXX wall. Once again THANK YOU SO SO MUCH. :)

Answered by Dr. Dr. Praveen Tayal (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
You are welcome.

Detailed Answer:
Hello.
Thank you.
I am happy I could help.
Please do recommend our services to others too in case you found them helpful. For future query, you can directly approach me through my profile URL XXXX
Wishing you the best in whatever you do.
Best regards.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar