This page introduces a case in which a 49-year-old woman with a complete anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture achieved natural healing without surgery through Evo-Devo Exercises.
ACL Online Therapy for natural healing
The case reports of ACL natural healing
Patient Information:
On March 6, 2023, while performing a martial arts jump kick, the patient felt a popping sensation in her left knee and fell upon landing. An MRI was performed on March 17, revealing the following findings:
- Complete ACL rupture (Ihara classification Grade IV, frayed and poorly defined stump)
- Medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury
After the injury, the patient performed several sessions of knee extension exercises under the guidance of a physical therapist. Knee buckling occurred for about 10 days. From March 28, she began Naturalization Therapy through Jun Matsumoto’s online rehabilitation program. No brace was used, and walking was limited to under 3,000 steps per day. During a trip to Japan in April, she used a wheelchair and minimized walking.
ACLOAS Score Evaluation:
Score 2 (Posterolateral fibers healed / Anteromedial fibers not healed)
Discussion:
This case involved a complex tear categorized as Ihara Grade IV, with frayed ligament stumps, making natural healing typically difficult. Inappropriate activity restrictions in the early stage and the absence of bracing may have influenced healing. Follow-up interviews revealed no major issues in daily life, but the patient felt knee instability during high-impact or pivoting movements. Full functional and muscular recovery required more than one year of rehabilitation.
References:
- Filbay SR et al. Healing of acute anterior cruciate ligament rupture on MRI and outcomes following non-surgical management with the Cross Bracing Protocol. Br J Sports Med.
- Ihara H, Kawano T. Influence of Age on Healing Capacity of Acute Tears of the ACL Based on MRI Assessment. J Comput Assist Tomogr.
- Roemer FW et al. ACLOAS: Longitudinal MRI-based whole joint assessment of ACL injury. Osteoarthritis Cartilage.
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