Athletes place the the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee under a tremendous amount of stress. If left untreated, ACL injuries can lead to cartilage damage. ACL injuries are far more common in young women athletes than in men, but we don't know why this is so.
ACL surgery involves the reconstruction of the ligament. While numerous ACL surgery techniques exist, your doctor will recommend the best approach based on your injuries and condition – to return you the full range of motion and stability to the knee. Lance Lehmann, MD has treated countless cases of knee injuries and arthritis.
Post-surgery, our rehabilitation specialists and athletic trainers will take you through a comprehensive rehabilitation plan for your quick and healthy recovery.
Signs include:
We will examine you, conduct physical tests and take X-rays to determine the extent of damage to your ACL.
Nonsurgical Options
Surgical Options
Your surgeon replaces the damaged ACL with strong, healthy tissue taken from another area near your knee. You might utilize a strip of tendon from under your kneecap (patellar tendon) or your hamstring. Your surgeon threads the tissue through the inside of your knee joint and secures the ends to your thighbone and shinbone. In a few cases when the ACL is torn cleanly from the bone, it can be repaired. Less active people may be treated non-invasively with a program of muscle strengthening rather than knee surgery.
The ACL is the most commonly injured knee ligament. It tears during sudden dislocation, torsion, or hyperextension of the knee. Swelling attributed to bleeding from the tear may cause pressure and some discomfort, but the torn ligament itself rarely causes much pain.
Due to the lack of severe pain most patients are able to postpone surgery based on the extent of the damage to other tissues in the knee. It is a very common injury in football, hockey, skiing, skating, soccer (and other field sports) and in most cases basketball, due to the enormous amount of pressure, weight, and torque the knee must withstand.
Usually the injury occurs when someone tries to rapidly change direction with the leading leg out, twisting the knee; this is usually followed by a loud popping sound. The injury may also occur under sudden high pressure contact, especially side on. Generally if the knee is locked, and the leg is firmly planted, then there is a much greater risk of injury.
ACL ruptures can be caused by these factors:
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