Joint & Extremity
ACL Tear
From injury to return-to-play — sports medicine done right.
The ACL is one of four major ligaments in the knee, and its tear is among the most common athletic injuries — especially in cutting/pivoting sports like soccer, basketball, football, and skiing. Most ACL tears in active patients need surgical reconstruction; less active patients sometimes do well with rehabilitation alone. Our sports medicine team manages every part of the process: diagnosis, surgery, and the structured return-to-sport program that follows.
Understanding the Condition
What is ACL Tear?
The anterior cruciate ligament runs diagonally inside the knee, connecting the femur to the tibia and preventing the tibia from sliding forward. It's the primary stabilizer for cutting, pivoting, and decelerating movements. ACL tears typically happen in non-contact mechanisms: a sudden stop, change of direction, or awkward landing. About half of ACL tears include damage to a meniscus, the cartilage, or another ligament.
Common Causes
- Sudden stops or changes of direction in sports
- Awkward landings from jumps
- Direct blows to the knee (less common)
- Hyperextension injuries
- Skiing falls (ACL is one of the most common skiing injuries)
Common Symptoms
- A 'pop' at the time of injury, often heard or felt
- Immediate severe pain and swelling within hours
- Inability to continue play
- Knee instability — feels like it might give way
- Difficulty with cutting, pivoting, or going down stairs
When to Seek Care
When Should You See a Specialist?
Any athletic knee injury with a 'pop' followed by significant swelling within hours warrants evaluation. Our sports medicine team can usually see acute injuries the same week. Earlier diagnosis allows better planning for surgery vs. non-operative management.
Treatment Options
How We Treat ACL Tear
We always begin with the least invasive treatment that's likely to work for you. Surgery is reserved for cases where conservative care has been given a fair trial — or when the situation truly requires it.
Conservative (Non-Surgical) Care
- RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) in the acute phase
- Bracing for activities of daily living
- Physical therapy with neuromuscular control retraining
- Activity modification (avoiding cutting/pivoting)
- May be definitive treatment for low-demand patients
Surgical Options
- ACL reconstruction with patellar tendon (BTB) autograft
- ACL reconstruction with hamstring autograft
- ACL reconstruction with quadriceps autograft
- ACL reconstruction with allograft (often for older or revision patients)
- Meniscus repair or partial meniscectomy when needed
- Concomitant cartilage restoration when needed
Recovery & Outlook
What to Expect After Treatment
ACL reconstruction return-to-sport timeline is 6–9 months for most patients, with the focus on completing milestone-based PT (range of motion, strength symmetry, hop testing) before clearance — not just calendar time. Re-tear rates are 5–10% in modern reconstruction.
ACL Tear — Frequently Asked Questions
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