Discover the latest technology and what most Doctors aren’t telling you about your ACL injury.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tears are a common and significant injury, primarily affecting those involved in activities that require quick changes in direction or pivoting movements.
As one of the major ligaments in the knee, the ACL’s primary role is to stabilize the joint by preventing excessive forward movement of the tibia (shinbone) relative to the femur (thighbone). When the ACL is torn, it can lead to a range of issues and complications, including:
Instability
The torn ACL can result in knee instability, making it challenging for the affected individual to bear weight, change direction, or perform physical activities normally.
Muscle Weakness
After an ACL tear, the muscles around the knee may weaken due to decreased use and immobility. This muscle weakness can contribute to further knee instability and functional limitations.
Meniscus Damage
It is very common to tear your meniscus when you tear your ACL. At the time of ACL reconstruction, many surgeons will leave the tear there or remove major functional regions of your meniscus. If you live with a ACL tear you are at risk of your knee buckling, and the buckling can tear your meniscus.
The treatment for an ACL tear depends on several factors, including the severity of the tear, the individual’s activity level, and their overall health. There are two primary treatment options for an ACL tear: non-surgical management and surgical reconstruction.
For partial ACL tear or individuals with a relatively low activity level, non-surgical treatment may be recommended. This approach typically involves a combination of rest, physical therapy, and activity modification. Non-surgical management may be suitable for older individual or those with minimal instability and who are not engaged in high-demand sports or activities.
Rest, Physical Therapy, Knee Bracing, Avoiding high-impact and high-risk activities.
For athletes, active individuals, those with severe ACL tears, or those who are experiencing instability with activities of daily living, surgical reconstruction is often recommended to restore knee stability and function fully. Surgery involves replacing the torn ACL with a graft (usually taken from the patient’s hamstring tendon, patellar tendon, quadriceps tendon, or a cadaver graft) to create a new ligament. During the surgery, the damaged ligament is removed, and the graft is paced in the anatomical position of the original ACL, securing it with screws or other fixation devices.
The decision between non-surgical and surgical treatment is complex and should be made in consultation with an orthopedic surgeon.
Studies have shown that a significant percentage of individuals who experience an ACL tear also have a concurrent meniscus tear.
The combination of an ACL tear and a meniscus tear can complicate the treatment and recovery process. The presence of a meniscus tear can impact the surgical approach, affect rehabilitation protocols, and may influence the overall prognosis for the patient.
Whenever speaking to a doctor about an ACL tear, it’s crucial that they do not overlook a potential accompanying meniscus tear.
The meniscus and the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are critical components of the knee joint. The meniscus spreads out the forces in the knee to protect the cartilage surfaces, while the ACL provides rotational stability. An injury to either of these components can significantly affect knee function and lead to long-term complications, such as:
All of this increases the risk of needing a knee replacement surgery in the future.
Unfortunately, because of a lack of skills and knowledge, many doctors opt to ignore the meniscus tear or suggest a treatment option that addresses the symptoms in the short-term (meniscus ‘clean up’ or ‘trimming’) while causing osteoarthritis in the long-term.
Anatomic
Independent socket preparation allows for precise placement of the ACL graft, promoting better functionality and long-term stability.
Minimally Invasive
The FlipCutter® III reamer minimizes tissue damage, preserving bone and periosteum while ensuring successful socket preparation.
Reproductible
The GraftPro® graft preparation system simplifies the process, allowing for easy graft passing, fine-turning of graft depth, and adjusting graft tension from both the femoral and tibial sides.
Less is More
Most techniques use large screws to compress the graft against the tunnel wall. The FlipCutter technique matches the tunnel diameter precisely to the graft diameter, eliminating large screws. This allows the graft to achieve circumferential healing to the bone.
If you’re experiencing knee pain, catching, locking, or swelling — or if you’ve been told you “need a knee replacement” — you may still have options to preserve your joint. Request an appointment with one of our knee specialists today to explore the best treatment plan for you.
