If you have recently experienced an injury to your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), you are far from alone. Anywhere from 100,000 to 200,000 ACL ruptures happen every single year in the United States, making it on of the most commonly injured ligaments of not only the knee but the entire body. If you are among the unfortunate thousands who have experienced the pain and instability of a torn ACL, you have also likely found yourself wondering just how severe this injury is. How long will it take you to recover? Will it require surgery? The answer to all your questions lies largely in determining the grade, or severity, of your ACL injury.

Recovery from a Grade 1 ACL Tear

As you may suspect, Grade 1 ACL injuries are the least severe and disruptive. In these cases, “tear” really refers to microscopic tearing within the ligament. The ACL has been overstretched and mildly damaged but is still able to support the knee. While patients will still be able to move and use their knee, there will likely be associated pain. The great news for these individuals is that treatment is noninvasive and recovery time is relatively quick.



In general, Grade 1 ACL tears are treated with methods such as bracing, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories (NSAIDs) for pain, and RICE (rest, ice, compression, and elevation). When these precautions are taken, general healing time is about 2-4 weeks. However, it is important to get clearance from your physician before returning to physical activities to avoid reinjury.

Recovery from a Grade 2 ACL Tear

In a Grade 2 ACL tear, the microscopic tears of Grade 1 are more extensive tears of 20 – 80% of the ligament fibers. Patients will experience greater levels of pain and more obvious symptoms, including swelling, bruising, and knee instability. Weightbearing on the leg will not be possible without significant amounts of pain. Because of the severity in damage and associated symptoms, Grade 2 tears require longer periods of recovery of about 6-8 weeks and may even require surgical repair of the ACL. The decision of whether or not to operate can be made between patient and surgeon and will depend on factors such as age and activity level.

Recovery from a Grade 3 ACL Tear

A Grade 3 ACL tear is a complete tear of the ligament. It is accompanied by severe pain and obvious swelling and bruising. The knee will feel completely unstable and without the ability bear weight. Surgical repair of a Grade 3 tear is likely although not always necessary. If a patient lives a largely sedentary life with only mild physical activity, a complete recovery may be achieved using conservative treatment methods including several weeks of intensive orthopedic physical therapy. If surgery is chosen, full recovery and return to normal activity will take several months.

Baton Rouge ACL Surgeons

Regardless of the severity of your injury, the experts at Bone and Joint Clinic can help guide you through to a full recovery. Our sports medicine and knee specialists have extensive experience treating all grades of ACL injuries and a long track record of smoothly leading patients back to their previous activity levels with comfort and strength. Get started by clicking below to request an appointment with any member of our team.