What is an ACL Tear?
An ACL tear occurs when the ligament fibers are overstretched or ruptured. The ACL prevents the shinbone from moving excessively forward and supports controlled knee motion during walking, bending, and direction change. When the ligament is damaged, knee mechanics become unstable.
ACL tears are classified as:
- Partial ACL tear – Fibers are damaged but still partially intact. Knee stability is reduced under load or twisting.
- Complete ACL tear – Ligament is fully torn, resulting in loss of structural support and recurrent instability during movement.
Also known as ACL injury, ACL rupture, or ACL insufficiency, this condition may affect daily mobility, exercise tolerance, and long-term joint health.
As instability increases, ACL tears can interfere with routine activities, including:
- Difficulty changing direction or walking on uneven surfaces
- Pain or giving-way sensation while descending stairs
- Swelling after activity or prolonged standing
- Reduced confidence in weight-bearing or sport
Without appropriate non-surgical ACL tear treatment, symptoms may persist for several months.
Understanding the Knee Joint
The ACL lies at the center of the knee, connecting the femur to the tibia. It works together with the PCL, MCL, LCL, meniscus, and surrounding muscles to maintain stability. When the ACL is torn, joint control reduces, leading to abnormal friction and stress on surrounding cartilage and meniscus.
ACL tear severity determines healing potential and treatment planning. Early diagnosis helps protect surrounding joint structures and prevents progressive instability.
ACL Tear Grades (Severity Levels)
ACL tears are classified based on fiber damage and function:
Stage 1
Minor (Grade I)
Ligament is overstretched but intact. Mild pain and swelling appear.
Stage 2
Moderate (Grade II / Partial Tear)
Fibers are partially torn. Instability occurs with rotation or direction change.
Stage 3
Severe (Grade III / Complete Tear)
Ligament is fully ruptured. Stability loss is significant, and the knee may buckle during activity.
Understanding ACL tear stages helps guide structured treatment and ACL injury recovery planning.
Symptoms of an ACL Tear
Common symptoms include:
- A popping sound at the time of injury
- Pain and swelling developing within hours
- Difficulty bearing weight or bending the knee
- Feeling of instability or knee “giving way”
- Reduced range of motion and stiffness
- Difficulty pivoting, squatting, or jumping
Symptoms That Need Medical Evaluation
- Knee collapses or gives out during activity
- Inability to stand or walk without pain
- Sharp pain with swelling after twisting injury
- Difficulty straightening the knee due to blockage
- Persistent instability after mild physical activity
Causes and Risk Factors
An ACL tear is caused by sudden mechanical overload or trauma to the knee ligament. Factors that increase risk include:
Sudden change in direction or pivoting during movement:
Landing awkwardly from a jump:
Direct trauma to the knee during impact or accidents:
Muscle imbalance or weak neuromuscular control:
Previous knee injury or ligament laxity:
High-intensity sports participation:
In many patients, ACL tears occur suddenly during activity rather than from gradual onset.
Diagnosis & Assessment
ACL tears are diagnosed using clinical examination and confirmatory imaging.
- Assessment of ligament stability with special tests
- Swelling, pain location, and motion restriction evaluation
- Lachman, Anterior Drawer, and Pivot Shift tests
- MRI to confirm partial or complete ACL tear grading
- X-rays may be recommended to rule out fractures
Diagnosis guides whether conservative care or further intervention is required.
Advanced Non-Surgical Treatments for ACL Tear
Most partial ACL tears and selected complete ligament injuries can be managed without surgery depending on patient lifestyle and functional stability. Non-surgical ACL tear treatment focuses on restoring muscular support, improving neuromuscular control, and optimizing joint mechanics.
The Nivaan Way
At Nivaan Pain Clinic, all advanced non-surgical interventions are performed with precision under real-time imaging guidance, such as C-arm fluoroscopy or ultrasound, to ensure accurate targeting, improved safety, and superior outcomes.
Image-Guided Injections
Regenerative Medicine (PRP Therapy)
Neuromuscular Stability Training
Bracing & Offloading Programmes
Recovery Support: Physiotherapy, Nutrition, and Pain Counselling
Recovery from an ACL tear is more effective when medical treatment is complemented by structured care.
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation
Nutrition Support
Pain Counselling and Emotional Support
Together, these components help patients return to daily activity, exercise, and sport with improved control.
When to See an Interventional Pain Specialist?
You should consult a specialist if:
- Pain continues for several weeks
- Knee feels unstable or frequently “gives way”
- Movement limitation affects daily life or sport
- You want non-surgical solutions for ACL tear recovery
- MRI confirms a partial or complete ACL tear
Early specialist guidance improves knee stability and supports long-term function.
Our Integrated Non-Surgical Care Pathway
At Nivaan Pain Clinic, ACL tear treatment follows a structured approach:
- Comprehensive specialist assessment
- Accurate diagnosis and ligament grading
- Personalized non-surgical treatment planning
- Guided physiotherapy and recovery monitoring
Book an Appointment for ACL Tear Treatment
If knee pain, instability, or a suspected ligament injury is limiting movement, early ACL tear treatment can help restore strength and confidence.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. Many partial tears and certain complete tears can be managed non-surgically depending on lifestyle and stability needs.
Recovery timelines vary but improvement is often seen over weeks to months with guided rehabilitation.
Yes, when supervised and focused on controlled strengthening.
MRI is recommended to confirm severity and guide treatment planning.
Yes. Early care prevents instability from worsening and protects the joint from further damage.