Partial ACL tear solution

I am 28 years old, male and fairly fit.
I had a partial ACL tear when I was 21, which was just allowed to heal thanks to the doctor I was consulting. He said nothing is wrong but a year later I found the real cause.
I tried physio therapy for 6 months after that, but the pain did not reduce. The doctors looked at MRI scans and saw a cyst of fibers developed at the place where the ACL had torn.
They trimmed out the torn portion of ACL through arthroscopy and that reduced my ACL width to around 85% of its actual width. I followed the same with 6-7 months of physiotherapy. Since then I am able to do normal activity but not something like badminton or cricket with ease.

For the past 1 year now, i have been a regular at the gym, running, cycling, performing sqats, leg presses and all and doing yoga with no problem.

But recently I played badminton and heard a small click or pop in my knee after which there was pain but no swelling. I am not sure what the problem could be but I have experienced this before. The knee has been feeling like it will give way if I bring it at certain angles(inwards). Also If I fold my knee joint fully, there is appreciable pain.

I definitely want to get back to having a strong knee/leg and am willing to work like hell to get there

I also wanna get to a level of being able to run confidently and play football or badminton or cricket where the knee sustains twists. Not to a high level but to a fairly decent standard

Has anyone recovered fully from a partial ACL tear like this?

Also can any physios who actually do the treatment give me a rough idea of what to expect? What kind of treatments do you do that i wouldnt think of myself (i.e squats/ankle weight exercises etc)

Any help ?

I'd suggest a reassessment. Perhaps you ruptured it a bit more? (despite no swelling).

The click might also just be the bones trying to relocate from a less that idea position. You brain will be hesitant for a while following but your PT should be able to assist with working this out.

You need to rehabilitate more for lunging, side-stepping, running diagonals etc etc before you take on badminton etc. Emphasise this to your PT that you need a more 'aggressive' strategy now for returning to sport. The activities you mention in you post don't really test the rotational stability of the knee so those alone are not enough.

Badminton/squash etc would be considered a difficult sport to contend with following a stretching/incomplete tear of the ACL. Best of luck though.

Hi Bob
Thanks for the quick answer. PT if i am correct refers to the other ligaments around the kneew joint? Sorry I am not really well-versed with the terms.
You could be right when you say there might be a rupture but the feeling of giving away or pain occurs only at one certain angle. Also there is no swelling which I had previously when I had ruptured it the first time(my knee joint looked twice its size then)
Yes when I fold the knee there is distinct pain. I am thinking of giving some of my regular activities like running, cycling etc a rest for some time and see how my knee scenario progresses. I had given badminton a rest for a long time but the fact that I could do so many activities spurred me to try to play it again. .... and I am facing the consequences now.

If you do have any suggestions regarding anything I should avoid doing or continue to do, and food wise as well to help reduce the pain, do let me know

Cheers
Birdy

PT is short for physiotherapist/physical therapist (sorry not ligaments about the knee). This make more sense when reading my posting.

Thanks for that clarification. Now it makes much more sense.

Just a quick update. The pain has receded, there is no major wobble or give away feeling though there is a feeling of weakness. Not sure whether it is more mental than physical. I am not as confident of making some moves with my knee as I was before. I bought a knee support band to help me build confidence during the first initial days of recuperation.

Lets see how it goes.