ACL Treatment in Rochester, NY
A sprained or torn ACL is a very common injury that can affect anyone. Athletes are more prone to these types of knee injuries as they are often engaging in activities that easily lead to an ACL tear or sprain.
The board-certified orthopaedic surgeons at Greater Rochester Orthopaedics are dedicated to providing quality comprehensive orthopaedic care to patients and athletes in Rochester, NY. If you suspect that you are suffering from a torn/sprained ACL it is important that you receive a proper diagnosis and treatment so that you can get back into the game. For more information about ACL treatment, please contact our orthopaedic clinic at (585) 295-5476 and schedule an appointment today.
Where is My ACL?
There are several different ligaments that make up the knee. The role of the cruciate ligaments is to control the back and forth motion of the knee. Cruciate ligaments are located inside of the knee joint, and they cross diagonally across the knee.
The anterior cruciate ligament can be found in the middle of the knee running diagonally to the posterior cruciate ligament at the back of the knee. The purpose of the ACL is to provide stability to the entire knee joint, with a particular importance regarding the tibia and keeping it in place.
ACL Sprains and Tears
There is a gradual scale that exists to measure the severity of injury to the anterior cruciate ligament. This scale consists of:
- Grade 1 ACL Sprain – The ACL has been overstretched but is still able to maintain stability of the knee joint.
- Grade 2 ACL Sprain – The ACL becomes loose from the amount of strain it has endured. Often, this particular grade of an ACL sprain is also known as a partial tear.
- Grade 3 ACL Sprain – This is the worst case scenario wherein the ACL has been torn completely and split into two separate pieces, leaving the joint unstable.
Although grade 1 and 2 sprains can occur, a grade 3 sprain or complete tear of the ACL is the most common injury sustained by the anterior cruciate ligament.
What Can Lead to an ACL Injury?
As previously mentioned, athletes are more likely to injure their ACL due to the nature of their particular sport or activity. Female athletes are particularly susceptible to ACL injury, as studies have shown. There is no exact reason, but many believe that the answer lies in the subtle differences in the muscular and skeletal systems of men and women.
Most ACL injuries have occurred from:
- Sudden change of direction (cutting)
- Abrupt stops
- Improper landing from a jump
- A collision
- Slowing from a run
Symptoms of an ACL Injury
Many people who experience an injury to their ACL will hear a “pop” or feel their knee give out, making the ACL injury quite noticeable. Typically, pain will quickly follow such sounds or sensations, and the joint will begin to swell.
In the case of a minor ACL injury, or grade 1 sprain, avoiding use of the knee joint with proper rest and relaxation may be enough to repair the damage. Unfortunately, many patients do not give their bodies enough time to heal before returning to sports or regular activities.
More serious injuries such as a partial or complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament are usually accompanied by worsening pain, loss of range of motion within the joint, tenderness of the area affected, and discomfort during use of the ACL.
Seeking Treatment
It is important to address an injury to your ACL right away, with the help of a professional. Greater Rochester Orthopaedics will provide appropriate treatment options depending upon the exact nature of your ACL injury.
To speak with an orthopedic specialist of Greater Rochester Orthopaedics, please call (585) 295-5476 today to request an appointment.
Request an ACL Treatment Consultation
The highly trained orthopaedic specialists at Greater Rochester Orthopaedics have extensive experience diagnosing and treating ACL injuries. Call (585) 295-5476 to request an appointment at one of our orthopaedic offices in the Rochester area.