Surgery

For most individuals with a torn ACL, reconstruction will restore stability to the knee. Reconstructed knees are reliable and stable. The knee will not give out unexpectedly and will allow the person to return to previous work and athletic activities, usually without any compromises. A protective brace is often recommended for athletic activities. Approximately 90% […]

What you need to know about the ACL:   The ACL is short for the Anterior Cruciate Ligament The ACL is one of the 2 strong ligaments inside the knee joint. The other is the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament).  Cruciate means ‘crossing’. The 2 ligaments inside the knee ‘cross’ each other. The primary function of

Treatment decisions for ACL tears are always individualized – tailored to each individual. The decision whether to offer surgery is based on the person’s age, activity level, how unstable the knee is, and whether other structures in the knee have been injured. It is important to keep in mind that surgery to reconstruct a torn

  Not all ACL tears need surgery. The decision as to whether to have surgery will depend on how active the person is, and how unstable the knee. Treatment decisions for ACL tears are always individualized – tailored to each individual. The decision whether to offer surgery is based on the person’s age, activity level,

Patients generally stay in the recovery room following surgery. Depending on the type of anesthetic that was used, it takes about one to two hours to recover enough to be able to sit up, eat some light food, use the bathroom (with crutches), and feel ready to go home. Some surgeons prefer their patients remain

About a week after the surgery, the physician will inspect the knee and discuss a rehab program. This will be done on an outpatient basis and may begin one to two weeks after surgery. Need To Know: The rehabilitation program following ACL reconstruction is very important and has a significant impact on the outcome of the knee. Many

These are the general guidelines for returning to work and returning to sports following ACL surgery. There is great variation in the time span needed for each individual. Returning To Work Returning to work will depend on the physical nature of the activity: If your job involves sitting down, some surgeons may allow return to work

Here are definitions of medical terms related to anterior cruciate ligament tears. Allograft: Tissue obtained from a donor to be used in another person. Autograft: Tissue taken from one place in the body to be used in another place in the same body. Arthroscope: A narrow telescope-like instrument to which a tiny camera is attached. It is inserted

Here are some reliable sources that can provide more information on anterior cruciate ligament tears. American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons  Phone: 847/823-7186 Phone: 800/346-2267 World Wide Web address: http://www.aaos.org American Physical Therapy Association  Phone: 800/999-APTA (2782) World Wide Web address: http://www.apta.org Articles Found Useful for ACL Tears Bernard R. Bach, Jr. MD. Acute Knee Injuries: When to

The ACL may tear when certain movements of the knee place a great strain on the ACL. These movements are: Hyperextension of the knee, that is, if the knee is straightened more than 10 degrees beyond its normal fully straightened position, is a very common cause of an torn ACL. This position of the knee

The initial goals of treatment immediately after injury are to reduce pain and swelling and regain range of motion and strength. Even if surgery is likely, achieving as much knee motion and strength as possible can greatly reduce complications after surgery. Immediately after the injury Post injury exercises Bracing Immediately After The injury Immediately after