I no longer want to wear a knee brace, how can I recover?

Therapists examines patients knee
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My question is regarding a partial ACL Tear involving the posterior lateral bundle in my left knee. I have been experiencing for several months a pinching sensation in my knee. Anytime I flex and bend the knee when walking without a brace I can feel the pinching. It's slightly less with the brace on and provides temporary relief. It’s gotten to the point that I don't want to have to wear a brace every time I go out. The pinching sensation is no fun, and I am ready for my left knee to feel normal again. Do you think I should get another MRI? After my second knee surgery on the left knee for a Medial meniscectomy, anterior synovectomy, and fat pad resection, my PT at the time noticed I was hyperextending my left knee and it took them until mid-August to finally get me into a top shelf ACL knee brace.

Disclaimer: Please note, this reply is for informational purposes only. It’s not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician, physical therapist, or other qualified health provider with a medical condition.

Things to Know

  • Partial ACL tears can heal on their own.
  • It is typical to have pinching when straightening the knee.
  • Physical therapy is a good first choice to see if it can reduce knee symptoms.

Without doing an examination of your knee and movement, we cannot comment on your specific case. However, we can provide general recommendations based on the information you have provided.

Partial ACL tears can heal on their own with proper rehabilitation and activity modification. It is typical with the involvement of the posterior lateral bundle for people to have pinching with straightening of the knee. The pinching sensation with bending the knee may indicate there is a different structure that needs to be assessed.

With a history of multiple knee injuries on the left leg, it would be best to consult with both your physician and physical therapist to see if an MRI is necessary based upon their physical examination of the knee. Physical therapy can also be a good first choice to see if it can reduce the knee symptoms you are experiencing.  

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