Key facts
- The ACL is usually injured in a twist, a landing or a sudden change of direction.
- Many patients describe a pop, early swelling and a knee that feels unstable.
- Diagnosis combines the history, specific clinical tests and MRI.
- Reconstruction is one option, and it is not the route in every case.
- Return to sport follows criteria in the assessment, not a fixed date.
What is the ACL and how is it injured?
The anterior cruciate ligament runs through the centre of the knee and limits forward movement and rotation of the shin bone under the thigh bone. It is commonly injured in a pivot, a sudden deceleration or a landing, in sports such as padel, football, tennis and skiing, and also in falls and road accidents. Other structures can be injured at the same time, including the meniscus and the cartilage, which is one reason the whole knee is assessed rather than the ligament alone.
How is an ACL tear diagnosed?
The diagnosis starts with what happened: the movement, a pop, how quickly the knee swelled and whether you could continue. Specific clinical tests then assess how the knee moves under control. MRI shows the ligament and the other structures inside the joint.
- History of the injury and of any previous knee problems
- Clinical examination, including tests of rotational control
- MRI to look at the ligament, the meniscus and the cartilage
The findings are read together, and the conclusion is discussed with you in the consultation.
Does every ACL tear need reconstruction?
No. The decision considers how unstable the knee is, which other structures are injured, your age, your work and the sports and activities you want to return to. Some patients do well with a structured rehabilitation programme, particularly when the knee is stable in daily life. Others, especially those returning to pivoting sport or with a knee that gives way, discuss ACL reconstruction. The point of the assessment is to make that choice with information rather than by default.
What does ACL reconstruction involve?
ACL reconstruction is a surgical procedure in which the torn ligament is replaced with a graft, usually taken from your own tendon tissue, and fixed in the bone tunnels that reproduce the ligament's path. It is performed with arthroscopic assistance, and other findings in the knee, such as a meniscus injury, may be treated in the same operation. Rehabilitation is part of the treatment rather than something that follows it.
Every procedure has indications, limitations and potential risks, which are discussed individually before a decision is made.
How is return to sport decided?
Return to sport is decided on how the knee performs, not on the calendar alone. Strength, control, confidence, movement quality and the specific demands of your sport are assessed as the programme progresses, and the plan is adjusted along the way. Individual recovery varies, so the stages and the criteria are discussed with you rather than a promised date. The page on sports knee injuries in Dubai covers the demands of padel, running and football.
When to see a specialist
If your knee twisted and swelled quickly, if it feels unstable when you turn, or if you have an MRI reporting an ACL injury, a specialist assessment is the next step. Dr. Ronald Barreto assesses ACL injuries in Dubai, in English and Portuguese, and the clinic team arranges your appointment on WhatsApp.
The WhatsApp line arranges your appointment. The assessment happens in the consultation.
Frequently asked questions
Can you walk with a torn ACL?
Many people can walk once the early swelling settles, and the knee can still feel unstable when turning or changing direction. Walking is not evidence that the ligament is intact.
Does an ACL tear heal by itself?
A complete tear of the ACL is not expected to heal back to its original function. Partial injuries and the surrounding structures behave differently, which the assessment reviews.
Is surgery always needed after an ACL injury?
No. The decision depends on how unstable the knee is, which other structures are injured and the activities you want to return to.
Which sports commonly cause ACL injuries in Dubai?
Pivoting and landing sports such as padel, football, tennis and basketball are frequent contexts, and injuries also happen in falls and accidents.
Who treats ACL injuries in Dubai?
An orthopedic doctor assesses ACL injuries. Dr. Ronald Barreto holds the licensed title Specialist Trauma and Orthopedic Surgery, and his practice focuses on the knee.
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