Here’s the translation into American English:
Knee problems, such as anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, are a concern for both professional athletes and active individuals in their daily lives. The ACL is crucial for knee stability and is commonly injured in contact sports and those that involve sudden changes in direction, such as soccer, basketball, handball, and skiing.
Dr. Adrián Cuéllar, an orthopedic surgeon at Policlínica Gipuzkoa, explains that such injuries are feared due to their high incidence and the impact they cause. In Spain, approximately one in every 3,000 people suffers an ACL tear each year. In the Spanish Primera División, an average of 11 such injuries are reported per season, translating to an incidence of 0.0016 per 1,000 hours of play.
The initial symptoms of a tear include rapid swelling and a feeling of instability in the knee. “The ligament bleeds, resulting in a joint effusion, which sometimes requires drainage. Then, the most characteristic symptom is the sensation that the knee is ‘giving way,'” Cuéllar emphasizes. Confirmation of the diagnosis is made through a clinical examination and an MRI, which reveals the extent of the injury.
The most common treatment is surgical and involves reconstructing the ligament using tissue from the patient, obtained from areas such as the hamstrings or patellar tendon. Although there are tissue bank grafts available, the ideal option remains the use of the patient’s own tissue due to better integration and a lower risk of re-injury. In cases of partial tears or in patients with lower athletic demands, a conservative approach focusing on muscle strengthening may be chosen.
Rehabilitation after the injury is crucial, and its duration depends on whether there are associated injuries, such as meniscal tears. For example, if the meniscus is sutured, mobility and weight-bearing are limited during the first month. However, exercises can begin on the first day if the meniscus is unaffected. Cuéllar notes that while low-impact sports can be resumed between two and three months post-injury, activities requiring twists or impact must wait between 10 and 12 months.
Preventing ACL tears is complicated, as many occur due to accidents. The specialist recommends maintaining good muscle tone and performing adequate warm-ups before any physical activity to reduce the risk.
Policlínica Gipuzkoa, with extensive experience in treating these injuries, will actively participate in the upcoming AEA-SEROD National Congress 2025 in San Sebastián, where technical advancements and surgical outcomes will be discussed among specialists from across the country, thereby contributing to improved patient care.
Referrer: MiMub in Spanish
