Knee ACL Avulsion Fracture in Singapore
ACL avulsion fracture is a common injury among athletes and one of the most common injuries in sports. It is a condition in which the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) are torn from the bone.
As ACL avulsion fracture is a severe injury, it requires immediate knee ACL fracture treatment in Singapore, often including surgery and rehabilitation, which can take up to six months to complete.
To understand this fracture, you need to know what it is, the risk factors, and the recommended ACL fracture treatment available in Singapore.
What is an ACL Avulsion Fracture?
The ACL is a crucial ligament in the knee, as it connects the thighbone to the shinbone and helps control movement within the knee joint. The PCL is another ligament that helps stabilise and control the movement of the knee joint.
An ACL avulsion fracture occurs when the ligament tears away from its attachment to the bone, usually at the knee joint. The tear may be partial or complete, and sometimes it’s hard to tell if the injury is an avulsion fracture or a more severe injury like a torn ACL.
What Causes ACL Avulsion Fracture?
ACL avulsion fractures typically occur among athletes that play contact sports like basketball and football. It’s because contact sports involve various movements that put stress on the limbs, such as:
- Sudden changes of direction
- Sprinting
- Kicking
- Leaping
- Sudden change in speed
As a result of these movements, they can cause trauma to the knee, leading to ACL avulsion fracture. It happens when the thighbone or shinbone moves one way, and a ligament is suddenly pulled in the opposite direction.
When the bone fractures, the ligament that attaches to part of the bone pulls this bone fragment away from the rest of the bone, causing a sudden, severe pain in the knee. In some cases, it can cause some difficulty in moving your legs.
Symptoms and Signs of ACL Avulsion Fracture
The symptoms and signs of ACL avulsion fracture can be very subtle and often go unnoticed. They can be mistaken for a simple sprain or strain. If the injury is not treated, it can lead to other knee problems like arthritis.
That said, here are some of the common symptoms and signs of an ACL avulsion fracture:
- Swelling around the knee joint
- Tenderness over one or both kneecap
- Instability in the knee joint
- Inability to fully extend or bend your leg at any angle
- Bruising around the knee joint
You might also be unable to walk without feeling the pain in the injured knee. If you have any of these symptoms or signs, it is essential to seek medical attention as soon as possible.
Risk Factors for ACL Avulsion Fracture
As ACL avulsion fracture is a condition in which the ligament of the knee is separated from its attachment to the bone, many things can increase the risk of an ACL avulsion fracture. This includes:
- Being female
- Active participation in certain sports
- Poor body conditioning
- Using faulty movement patterns
- Wearing improper footwear
- Using poorly maintained sports equipment
- Playing on artificial turf
Recommended Treatment for ACL Avulsion Fracture
aaTreatment for an ACL avulsion fracture will vary depending on the severity of the fracture, as it can be misdiagnosed as muscle strain. A doctor can diagnose an ACL avulsion fracture by examining the injury and carrying out imaging tests. Once done, they will recommend either a surgical or non-surgical treatment.
Non-Surgical Treatments
The doctor will only recommend non-surgical ACL avulsion fracture treatment in Singapore if your diagnosis shows a minor fracture. This includes immobilising the knee in a cast or splint, taking anti-inflammatory medications, practising the RICE method, and limiting your activities. Physical therapy may be necessary to restore range of motion.
Surgical Treatments
For severe ACL avulsion fracture cases with joint instability, the doctor may suggest the following surgical interventions to prevent improper healing of the bone that could impede proper knee movement.
- Open reduction: The surgeon makes an incision on your knee and then realigns your bones.
- Internal fixation: The surgeon uses metal hardware to align your bones permanently. Examples of the hardware include pins, plates, screws, and rods.
- Arthroscopic staple fixation: The surgeon uses a titanium staple as a joystick to thread the introducer, placing it over the avulsed fragment.
Get Treated For Your ACL Avulsion Fracture
At Spire Orthopaedic Centre, everyone should be cared for and healed holistically in comfort without travelling to different locations to seek medical and surgical help and rehabilitation support.
With a combined facility for collaboration between physicians, physiotherapists, and surgeons, you will experience a seamless service from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation tailored just for you at our clinic.