ACL Surgery

What is the ACL?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most important ligaments in your knee, and it is crucial for knee stability. A torn ACL is among the most common sports injuries today. 

What causes an ACL tear?

Most ACL injuries happen during athletic activity. Often, the tear happens when you try to move aggressively to either side, when you land badly from a jump, or when something (or someone) hits your knee from the side. 

Less commonly, pivoting moves like those in basketball can cause an ACL tear. You can also tear your ACL outside of sports, for example, when you have a bad fall. 

What are the signs of an ACL tear?

An ACL tear generally has a few telltale signs, including: 

• Pop in the knee
• Limping immediately
• Swelling due to fluid within the knee
• Knee stiffness

If you suspect an ACL tear, don’t ignore it. The team at Restore Orthopedics can expertly assess the damage and recommend a solution that restores your full function. 

Why do I need surgery for a torn ACL? 

After an ACL injury, the swelling typically goes down within 2-3 weeks. This allows you to continue with all your normal, daily activities without limping. But, it’s important to get treatment because your ACL’s still torn. 

A torn ACL is unstable during sports, which means you can’t cut side-to-side, pivot, or land from a jump normally. You’re likely to fall and cause a fresh round of severe pain and knee problems. 

How does ACL surgery work?

Your orthopedic surgeon performs ACL reconstructive surgery using a technique specific to you. This ensures maximum precision and ideal graft placement during your reconstruction. 

During ACL surgery, your orthopedic surgeon skillfully reconstructs your ACL using a donor tendon from your own body. Typically, they use the patellar tendon because they can modify the graft harvesting to the exact size that you need. 

The patellar tendon method helps the reconstructed ACL reliably stay in place, thanks to the tiny bone plugs on either end. This gives you bone-to-bone healing, the most effective way to encourage healing. This method offers some of the most reliable results with the lowest rates of re-injury. 

To schedule an ACL Surgery consultation, call Restoration Orthopedics, call the office or request an appointment online today.