Non-Operative Treatment Benefits and Limits

Surgical treatment is usually advised in dealing with combined injuries (ACL tears in combination with other injuries in the knee). However, deciding against surgery is reasonable for select patients. Non-operative management of isolated ACL tears is likely to be successful or may be indicated in patients:

• With partial tears and no instability symptoms
• With complete tears and no symptoms of knee instability during low-demand sports who are willing to give up high-demand sports
• Who do light manual work or live sedentary lifestyles
• Whose growth plates are still open (children)