Knee
This weight-bearing hinge joint supports the body with everyday movements like walking or exercise and more involved sports. While the knee mainly bends and straightens, it also relies on support from tendons and ligaments for side-to-side stability.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears
The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is a strong ligament within the knee joint. It stabilizes the knee and is important for staying active in sports and walking. ACL tears often occur from falls or with quick, twisting or pivoting motions when the foot is planted.
What is an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear?
Causes, symptoms, and diagnosis
The ACL is one of the main stabilizers of the knee joint. When this ligament is torn, pain, swelling, and knee instability can develop. These symptoms can make movements like walking, running, squatting, and going up and down stairs difficult and painful.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear Treatment
With and without surgery
Treatment for an ACL tear depends on the severity and location of the tear as well as the patient’s age and activity level. Significant ACL tears may require surgery to restore function. Physical therapy plays an important role in rehabilitation of all ACL tears, whether surgery is needed or not.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear Surgery
Surgical animations
There are two options for surgery for a torn ACL: an ACL repair reattaches the torn ACL back to bone, and an ACL reconstruction replaces the torn ACL with a tendon graft.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear Surgery
Surgical demonstrations
ACL surgery is performed using knee arthroscopy, a minimally invasive technique that uses small incisions, a camera, and small instruments to repair or reconstruct the ACL. Newer techniques and innovative implants continue to help patients get back to activity quickly and safely. If reconstruction is necessary, a tendon graft may need to be harvested and prepared.
Medial (MCL) and Lateral (LCL) Collateral Ligament Tears
The collateral ligaments are located on the outside of the knee and include the medial collateral ligament, or MCL, and the lateral collateral ligament, or LCL. These ligaments stabilize the knee during side-to-side motion.
What is a MCL or LCL Tear?
Causes, symptoms, and diagnosis
The MCL is located on the inner side of the knee while the LCL is located on the outer side of the knee. Injuries to these important ligaments are common with direct contact or quick twisting or pivoting motions when the foot is planted. Damage to the collateral ligaments can make the knee painful and unstable.
MCL and LCL Tears
With and without surgery
While an MCL tear is more common than an LCL tear, treatment for both injuries is similar. Many collateral ligament tears can heal with rest and physical therapy. But if a tear causes significant pain and knee instability, surgery may be needed to support the knee joint.
MCL and LCL Tears
Surgical demonstration
During MCL or LCL surgery, an incision is made at either the inner or outer side of the knee. This allows the surgeon to access the torn ligament for repair or reconstruction.
