What You Need to Know About Torn ACL Treatment in Lower Manhattan

What Is an ACL? Will I Need Surgery? We Answer All of Your Questions.

If you are a fan of a sport that requires you to run, jump, and pivot, you probably know ACL injuries are common. But why? How can you prevent an ACL injury? Similarly, if you live in the area, what does torn ACL treatment in Lower Manhattan entail?

When an injury strikes, there are a lot of questions on a patient’s mind. The Sports Medicine specialists at Rothman Orthopaedic Institute recognize how crucial it is for athletes to receive effective care for their sports injuries so they can get back to playing the sports they love. In addition to proper treatment, all patients can benefit from learning about their injury and what their individual bodies need to heal. Below is extensive information about ACL tears, how they occur, and how doctors commonly treat them.

ACL Injuries: The Basics

ACL stands for anterior cruciate ligament. There are four ligaments that stabilize the knee joint; the three others are the medial collateral (MCL), lateral collateral (LCL), and posterior cruciate (PCL) ligaments. The ACL specifically stabilizes the knee during rotational movements, such as when playing a high-intensity, lower-body sport. Athletes who play basketball, soccer, football, tennis, baseball, or another sport that puts pressure on the knee joints are particularly vulnerable to ACL injuries.

Athletes usually injure their ACL in one of two ways: direct contact or a non-contact event. Direct contact may entail a collision with another player on the field or a bad fall. Non-contact events include changing direction rapidly (such as when running), stopping suddenly, or landing from a jump unnaturally. In most cases of ACL tears, the knee gives out and swells, preventing movement and weight bearing. Sometimes, patients feel or hear a pop at the instance of the tear.

How Our Doctors Treat a Torn ACL in Lower Manhattan

The major question that everyone who has this sports injury asks is: Will I need ACL surgery? The answer depends on a number of factors regarding both the patient and the severity of the tear. If a young athlete has a torn ACL and intends on returning to her or his sport of choice, then one of our Sports Medicine doctors will most likely recommend surgery. On the other hand, if the patient is less active and older, conservative treatments may be sufficient for that particular patient.

Non-operative ACL treatment typically includes some variation of the R.I.C.E. method: rest, ice, compression (with the use of a brace), and elevation. After approximately one to two weeks, the patient can move to a structured physical therapy program that will help restore range of motion and strengthen the knee. A second, more functional brace may be recommended to provide additional stability during physical therapy exercises.

A conservative treatment plan for ACL tear recovery will not fully restore the stability of the knee joint. In fact, the majority of ACL tears cannot even be stitched back together. ACL surgery entails reconstruction the ligament by replacing the torn part with a tissue graft. Grafts from the patient’s own body can be taken from the patellar, hamstring, or quadriceps tendon; otherwise, an allograft (donor graft) can be used. The procedure itself involves arthroscopic incisions to add the tissue graft.

Why Rothman Orthopaedic Institute?

Rothman Orthopaedic Institute started as the leading specialty provider in the Philadelphia area; now, we have expanded (and continue to expand) our high-quality services to many more communities, including Lower Manhattan. Our Sports Medicine physicians and surgeons have all of the traits you expect from the best doctors. They are:

• Compassionate

• Trustworthy

• Diligent

• Respectful

• Innovative

• Experienced

When it comes to sports injuries, athletes in New York can breathe a sigh of relief — outstanding orthopaedic care is right around the corner. If you want to learn more about ACL injuries and how to prevent them, or if you believe you have this injury and need torn ACL treatment in Lower Manhattan, please visit us here or contact us at 1-800-321-9999.