ACL Tear

ACL injuries are highly common in athletes and other active individuals. With experience and access to the most advanced technology available, the board-certified orthopedic surgeons at Austin Sports Medicine offer ACL treatment at their offices in Austin, Bee Cave, Cedar Park, or Pflugerville, Texas. The ACL plays an essential role in your overall mobility. To learn more about ACL injuries and how to treat them, call the office nearest you or book an appointment online now.

What is the ACL?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) connects the three bones that make up your knee. While all of the ligaments in your knee work together to support your mobility, the ACL’s primary responsibility is to keep the tibia from pushing in front of the femur. 

Without a healthy ACL, your knee doesn’t have the stability it needs to support your body.

What causes an ACL injury?

ACL damage typically occurs from sudden movements. Injuries to this critical ligament are especially common in athletes, who often change positions suddenly while running. 

Many individuals experience ACL injuries when:

• Stopping too quickly
• Turning suddenly
• Landing in an awkward position while jumping
• Collision or direct impact
  

While anybody can develop an ACL injury, women are at an increased risk due to muscle strength and anatomy.

What are the symptoms of an ACL injury?

Considered a type of sprain, an ACL injury can range in severity. Some injuries are minor, with a short recovery period, while others are extremely painful and immobilizing. Common symptoms of an ACL injury include:

• Severe pain
• Difficulty walking
• Pain when stretching the leg
• Low flexibility
• Lost range of motion
• Instability
• A popping sound
• Swelling
  

Depending on the severity of your condition, an ACL injury can occur suddenly, often without warning. The sooner you seek treatment, the more likely you are to recover.

What are the treatments for ACL injuries?

Immobilization techniques, such as bracing, can help accelerate your recovery and prevent further damage after an ACL injury. Physical therapy may also strengthen the muscles surrounding your ACL and enhance your flexibility to prevent re-injury. 

If you have a torn ACL that hasn’t responded to nonsurgical treatments, your Austin Sports Medicine doctor may recommend anterior cruciate ligament repair surgery to reconstruct your damaged ACL. The procedure involves removing the injured ligament and replacing it with a tissue graft. Over time, a new ligament grows from the template that the tissue — usually a tendon — provides. 

To learn more about ACL injury treatments, call Austin Sports Medicine or schedule an appointment online today. The team looks forward to working with you.