When should adults get ACL repair surgery? Orthopedic surgeons tend to be biased toward surgery and recommend it soon after injury even when studies show it may not benefit the patient.

Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are common. The ACL is one of four major ligaments that helps stabilize the knee. ACL repair surgery requires an arduous six to nine months of rehabilitation in order for the patient to return to previous levels of fitness. Studies indicate that ACL surgery may not result in better outcome than physical therapy alone. For most patients, there is no harm in delaying surgery, doing physical therapy, and assessing knee stability. Those with instability may still opt for surgery.

Patients will delay and possibly avoid surgery and the pain, expense, and grueling rehab involved.

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I am a patient who has torn both ACLs 4 years apart. The first doctor I saw at the clinic at the ski area where I first injured myself told me that surgery would not be necessary to continue skiing. Every other professional I saw after that told me it would be crazy not to have the repair. I did research and decided that surgery wasn't for me. Most people would trust their orthopedist and go through surgery and 9 months of recovery, even though for most people there is no harm in putting off the surgery, doing PT, and assessing stability later.

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