Q: I had ACL surgery three months ago. While bike riding yesterday, I heard my knee pop and shift slightly. There was really no pain, and I kept biking. Since then the knee has swollen slightly with mild pain. I haven’t lost any range of motion. Is it likely that I re-tore my ACL, or is it scar tissue?
A: The mode of injury does not point to ACL injury or another ligament injury, which would have caused instability, decreased range of motion, and prominent stiffness. Your symptoms are more suggestive of tendonitis, muscle strain, or bursitis.
General care, like avoidance of painful activity, rest, local analgesic cream, a knee brace for 3 or 4 days, and Motrin should be able to take care of your present symptoms.
Increase the activity very gradually in about 2 weeks. Swimming would be good for short- and long-term management.
— Answer from Dr. Arun Phophalia, a physician on JustAnswer.
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