Proud to be the official sports medicine providers for the following schools:
ACL Reconstruction
Geisinger Sports Medicine - Get Back in the Game
Mechanism of Injury
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four ligaments lending stability and range of motion to the knee joints. Although the ACL is powerful, withstanding forces of up to 500 pounds, it is quite vulnerable to tearing. ACL tears are seen most often in basketball, volleyball, football, soccer, and alpine skiing and are more common in women athletes. An ACL tear often occurs in situations where quick pivot movements are used or hard contact is inevitable.
Players experiencing a torn ACL may notice:
- A sudden popping sound in the knee
- Instability on the injured leg
- Significant swelling around the knee
- Progressive pain in the knee
Athletes who may have an ACL injury should refrain from play and visit a physician immediately.
Diagnosis & Testing
An X-ray evaluation is usually the first point of diagnosis with an ACL injury, and an MRI scan may be used for further detail. With diagnosis of this injury, it is important to check for accompanying injuries to surrounding knee ligaments or cartilage. In some cases, an arthroscopic examination of the knee will be used for diagnosis.
Treatment
Patients dealing with a torn ACL are at a great disadvantage because the lack of blood supply to the ligament prevents the tear from self-repair. Treatment is usually done in stages and recovery can take months.
Initial treatment measures include:
- Ice
- Crutches for stability
- Bed rest
- Compression bandage
- Anti-inflammatory medication
- Pain medication
Progressive physical therapy is imperative to regain full range of motion and strength (see rehabilitation).
Surgery may be recommended for athletes wanting to regain the ability to play competitively. Patients who opt not to have surgery may be at an increased risk for future episodes of instability or injury.
Nonsurgical treatment may be best suited for:
- Patients who do not plan on engaging in rigorous or strenuous activities in the future
- Children who are still in the growing process
- Patients with partial or complete tears who show no signs of instability
- Patients who do not wish to engage in high-demand sports or exercises
Surgical Management
Surgery is usually recommended in patients who plan to participate in rigorous sports. Surgery is also a common course of treatment when an ACL tear is combined with another knee injury.
The most modern and effective surgical solution is the arthroscopic ACL repair procedure. Arthroscopic ACL surgery is performed using a carefully inserted arthroscope to guide the surgeon in removal of the ends of the torn ligaments. Tissue is then harvested from the hamstring tendons, quadriceps tendon or patellar tendon and used as a graft in place of the ACL. This procedure has helped hundreds of thousands of athletes regain optimum strength, stability, and full range of motion in the knee and is notable for its long term success.
Rehabilitation
Rehabilitation following an ACL injury is crucial in recovery. A physical therapist will set out a stringent plan for the patient based on the severity of injury and the treatment measures. Generally, rehabilitation will encourage regaining normal knee motion and focus on:
- Range of motion exercises
- Strength-building exercises
- Weight-bearing exercises
- Stability
- Strengthening of quadriceps and hamstrings
- Minimizing pain and swelling
- Balance and control through neuromuscular exercises
- Physiotherapy for hamstring strengthening
Post-surgical patients are usually required to wear a specially designed ACL brace during physical activity, and will need to follow physician and therapist guidelines to see results. Patience is a must! Your doctor will give you a timeline of when you should be able to return to certain activities.
At Geisinger Sports Medicine, we help athletes with torn ACL’s recover with the best techniques modern medicine has to offer. If you or your child sustains an ACL injury, contact us today for an appointment at our state-of-the-art facility.
Geisinger Sports Medicine Facility
1-866-414-4988
Orthopaedic Services-Woodbine Lane
Corner of Woodbine Lane & Route 11
Danville, PA 17822 MC 52-12
Geisinger Wyoming Valley Medical Center
1-800-921-1467
1000 East Mountain Blvd.
Wilkes-Barre, PA 18711
Geisinger Medical Center
1-800-275-6401
100 N. Academy Avenue
Danville, PA 17822