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Evidence-Based Sports Injury Care by Dr. Sean LeoSports Injury Specialist in Singapore
With over 25 years of experience, Dr. Sean Leo specialises in minimally invasive treatment of sports injuries and joint conditions. His expert care supports faster recovery, restored mobility, and a return to peak performance.
Dr. Sean Leo
Orthopedic Surgeon Singapore
ACL Injuries in Athletes
Understanding ACL Injuries with Dr. Sean Leo.
ACL injuries are one of the most dreaded knee injuries in sports—often seen as career-ending for professional athletes. But with medical advancements and smart rehab, returning to sports is possible—even without surgery in some cases.
Let’s dive into the 3 things every athlete should know about ACL injuries—and how to make the best decision for your future.
Returning to Sports Without ACL Surgery: Is It Possible?
Yes, it’s possible to return to sports even without ACL reconstruction surgery, depending on your injury and your athletic goals.
Many athletes fear that an ACL tear automatically means surgery and a year-long recovery. While that’s often true for professionals in high-impact sports, some athletes can still perform at a recreational level without surgery.
📣 Fact: NBA player DeJuan Blair played pro basketball without an ACL in both knees. NFL cornerback Jimmy Hitchcock also played for years with bilateral ACL tears.
So, how is that possible?
In select cases—especially with isolated ACL injuries (where other knee structures are intact)—muscle conditioning and rehab can compensate for the torn ligament. This approach won’t work for everyone, but it’s viable for athletes who:
- Have only an ACL tear (no meniscus or MCL/PCL damage)
- Are willing to reduce sport intensity
- Can commit to strength and neuromuscular training
For elite athletes, this might not be sustainable long-term, but for recreational players, it can mean continuing to enjoy the sport they love—without surgery.
How Muscle Strength Helps Stabilise Your Knee
Your knee is supported by:
- Static stabilisers: ligaments (ACL, PCL, MCL) and bone structure
- Dynamic stabilisers: muscles around the knee and hip
When your ACL is torn, the dynamic stabilisers (your muscles) can sometimes compensate—but there are limits.
Key Factors That Matter:
- Extent of ligament damage:
If other ligaments (like PCL or MCL) are also torn, compensation becomes much harder. - Muscle strength, endurance, and control:
Well-trained muscles can stabilise your knee during movement, but only if they’re not fatigued.
🧠 Athletes with isolated ACL injuries often report instability later in a game when their muscles are tired—especially during pivoting or landing.
That’s why some high-level athletes train intensively to build muscular control, allowing them to continue competing without ACL reconstruction.
Good to Know:
If you’re not a professional athlete but still active, a structured physiotherapy program can allow you to:
- Avoid surgery
- Return to lower-intensity sports
- Maintain an active lifestyle
New Advances in ACL Repair
ACL reconstruction has long been the gold standard for torn ligaments. But ACL repair techniques are making a comeback—especially for specific tear patterns.
Reconstruction vs Repair:
- Reconstruction = replacing the torn ACL with a graft (usually from your hamstring or patellar tendon)
- Repair = stitching the original torn ACL back to its attachment (typically on the femur), often with support from an internal brace
ACL repairs are now considered for:
- Fresh injuries (within 6 weeks)
- Tears that occur near the ligament’s femoral attachment
- Younger, active patients with good healing potential
One exciting development is BEAR (Bridge-Enhanced ACL Repair), which uses a bio-enhanced scaffold to help the torn ligament heal naturally. This option is still being researched but shows promise.
🧪 Why repairs matter: They may preserve nerve endings in the ACL, improving knee proprioception and coordination after recovery.
That said, not all ACL injuries are repairable. Dr. Sean Leo will assess your MRI and injury type to recommend the best treatment—be it traditional reconstruction or modern repair.
Conclusion: Don’t Let an ACL Injury End Your Game
While an ACL injury can feel devastating, there are more treatment options than ever before. Whether you’re a competitive athlete or a weekend warrior, the right care plan can help you:
- Return to play (with or without surgery)
- Regain knee strength and stability
- Prevent future injuries
ACL Injury
Treatment and Recovery
Specialized Care by Dr. Sean Leo, Orthopaedic Knee & Sports Injury Specialist
- Treatment Options
- When Needed
- Recovery Time
- Success Rates
- Surgery Costs
What are the treatment options for ACL injuries?
Surgical vs Non-surgical
For a complete ACL tear, surgical reconstruction using a graft is often the preferred treatment to restore knee stability and function. These grafts can be autografts (taken from your own body, typically from the patellar tendon, hamstring tendon, or quadriceps tendon) or allografts (from a donor). Dr. Sean Leo specializes in advanced ACL reconstruction techniques utilizing various graft options that promote optimal healing and recovery.
Non-surgical options, including bracing and physical therapy, may be considered for partial tears or less active individuals. The appropriate treatment plan depends on factors such as injury severity, activity level, age, and overall health.
A comprehensive assessment by an experienced orthopaedic knee specialist can determine the most suitable treatment approach and graft selection for your specific ACL injury.
When would you need ACL surgery?
Act Promptly for Better Outcomes
ACL tears typically do not heal on their own due to their position within the knee and the interference of synovial fluid, which fills the knee joint and hampers the natural healing process of the ligament.
For individuals with a complete ACL tear, especially those engaged in sports or active lifestyles, surgical intervention is often recommended. Factors that indicate surgery may be necessary include:
- Complete ACL tear confirmed by MRI
- Significant knee instability during daily activities
- Desire to return to sports or demanding physical activities
- Young age and active lifestyle
- Multiple ligament injuries
Early consultation with a knee specialist allows for timely intervention and optimal recovery outcomes.
How long does it take to recover from ACL surgery?
What to Expect
ACL reconstruction recovery typically takes 6 to 9 months, with a full return to sports often requiring 9 to 12 months, depending on individual factors, sport type, and rehabilitation progress.
The recovery journey includes several phases:
Initial phase (0-2 weeks)
Pain management, swelling reduction, basic mobility.
Early rehabilitation (2-6 weeks)
Improving range of motion, beginning strength exercises.
Intermediate phase (6-12 weeks)
Progressive strengthening, improving balance.
Functional rehabilitation (3-6 months)
Functional treatment aims at getting you back to doing gentle physical activities eg. Brisk walk and jogging or cycling.
Advanced Rehabilitation (6-9 months)
Focusing on strength and agility training incorporating dynamic movements (eg. Jumps and quick direction changes like running around cones).
Return to Sports (9-12 months)
To engage in sports specific drills which condition the body as a whole for gradual return to full sports participation. Eg. Dribbling drills for soccer, footwork drills for courtgames like badminton or tennis.
How successful is ACL surgery?
Evidence-Based Outcomes
ACL reconstruction surgery is generally successful, with reported success rates of 80% to 90%. Modern surgical techniques have significantly improved outcomes for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.
Key success indicators include:
- Restoration of knee stability
- Return to pre-injury activity levels
- Prevention of further knee damage
- Improvement in quality of life
As with any surgical procedure, there is a possibility of complications, and some patients may require revision procedures. Factors affecting success include surgical technique, graft choice, patient compliance with rehabilitation, and individual healing capacity.
Regular follow-up with your orthopaedic surgeon throughout recovery helps ensure optimal outcomes.
How much does ACL surgery cost?
Financial Considerations
The cost of procedure varies based on the complexity of the surgery to be performed and individual insurance panel specifications. These will be discussed with you by Dr Sean’s clinic staff after the consultation should you with to proceed with surgery. The clinic staff are experienced in assisting with applications for letter of guarantees from various insurance panels and corporate insurance panels.
Cost factors include:
- Surgical technique and complexity
- Type of graft used
- Hospital or day surgery center fees
- Anaesthesia services
- Pre-operative assessments
- Post-operative rehabilitation
Patients should consider checking insurance coverage for ACL reconstruction surgery. Many insurance plans provide coverage for this procedure when medically necessary.
Financial counseling services are available to discuss payment options and potential insurance coverage for your specific situation.
Take the First Step Towards Recovery
Dr. Sean Leo, orthopedic surgeon in Singapore, provides comprehensive assessment and personalized treatment plans for ACL injuries and knee conditions.
Trusted Knee & Sports Injury Care in Singapore
Experienced Orthopaedic Specialist in Novena & Farrer Park
Comprehensive treatment for knee injuries and sports-related conditions at Mount Elizabeth Novena & Connexion.