Injured ACL

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most common serious knee injuries, often occurring during sudden direction changes, jumping, or a direct blow to the knee. It ranges from a partial sprain to a complete tear, with the degree of injury shaping whether surgery is necessary. At UMC Victoria Hospital, the ACL injury treatment in Uganda is built around accurate grading before any treatment decision is made:

• Clinical and imaging assessment
  physical examination alongside MRI to confirm the extent of ligament damage
• Conservative management
  bracing and physiotherapy for partial tears or lower-demand patients
• ACL reconstruction surgery
  graft-based repair for complete tears, particularly in active or athletic patients
• Arthroscopic technique
  minimally invasive approach to reduce surgical trauma and recovery time
• Structured rehabilitation
  phased physiotherapy to restore strength and stability post-surgery

A knee that gives way or swells suddenly during activity is a classic sign of ACL injury, and getting it assessed early helps prevent further damage to surrounding knee structures.