Completely torn ACL and knee joint stability

Dear Ask The Doctor: Hey, i would like to start by thanking you. but i have torn my acl about 4 years ago i went to get an MRI nd it shows that its completly torn. believe it or not i played rugby with it for the next 3 years for a D II school. my question is i sometimes and always feel that my knee gives up. is there away to get full motion back without the surger? and i heard about heat and cold treatments that help the torn acl but does the blood follow into the area of injure can build a new acl where its completely torn? thank you very much

Dear Ahmed: You are very welcome, the sensation of giving away is due to a joint instability because the ACL is one of the main factors that provide the stability on the knee joint. Both ligaments ACL and PCL are very important to stabilize the knee joint backwards and forwards, the lateral ones stabilize it side to side, the menisci give cushion between femur and tibia, and the synovial fluid lubricates all the surfaces minimizing the friction during the movements, so as you can see every element is important for the correct function of the knee joint. Of course you can have full motion back, but the main problem is that you will not have the adequate stability that your knee joint required because one of the main stabilizers is injured, torn. The heat and cold treatments are indicated to basically control pain and inflammation and yes they help to increase the blood flow in the area but this is not going to “build a new ACL”. When a ACL is completely torn, as you said is your case, the surgical repair is the right treatment choice.