ACL Tear Treatment

ACL Tear Treatment in Hoover and Birmingham, Serving Central Alabama

An anterior cruciate ligament tear, or ACL tear, is among the most common sports injuries. They occur suddenly and can lead to pain, limping, and more. If not treated correctly, ACL tears may also cause long-term damage that permanently impacts a person’s ability to play sports or be active.

Southlake Orthopaedics is a multi-specialty orthopedic team in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL. We provide complete orthopedic care, from diagnosis to treatment and rehabilitation, helping patients throughout central Alabama recover from injury and get back to the activities they love. Learn more about our ACL tear services and treatments.

What Is an ACL Tear?

An ACL tear is an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament. The knee joint includes three different bones: the femur (thighbone), tibia (shinbone), and patella (kneecap). These bones are held together by ligaments. These are strong bands of connective tissue that are responsible for stabilizing the joint to enable natural movement.

The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of two cruciate ligaments in the knee. These ligaments cross each other to form an X-like structure that controls forward and backward knee motion. The ACL’s job is to keep the tibia from sliding in front of the femur. It also provides rotational stability, stopping the knee from twisting too far.

ACL injuries usually occur when the knee twists severely while carrying weight. This causes the ACL to rip through the middle or to pull loose from the bone. Tears can be partial, meaning that only part of the ligament is torn, or they can be complete, meaning that the entire ligament is severed.

ACL Tear Symptoms

Most patients know when they have torn an ACL. They often feel or hear a pop in their knee, which immediately becomes weak or unable to carry weight. The injury may be painful or cause only minor discomfort. Patients are typically unable to return to their activities after the injury.

After the injury occurs, symptoms continue to develop. These are some common symptoms of a full or partial ACL tear:

Swelling in the knee
Pain, especially when putting weight on the knee
Weakness or inability to bear weight
Loss of range of motion in the knee

The severity of symptoms depends on the degree of injury. A knee with a partial ACL tear may still be able to bear some weight. Meanwhile, complete ACL tears may be completely unstable.

ACL Tear Causes and Risk Factors

Most ACL tears are the result of a sports injury. They occur when the knee is forced outside its range of motion, often due to a sudden stop, turn, or landing from a jump. Evasive maneuvers during football, basketball, and soccer are common causes. The motion twists the knee while it is under weight, forcing the joint outside its normal range of motion. This causes the ligament to tear.

Anybody can experience an ACL tear. Certain risk factors, however, make an injury more likely. Risk factors for ACL tears include:

Sports participation
Inadequate stretching or warmups
Ill-fitting or inappropriate footwear
Poor muscle conditioning
Incorrect landing techniques
Previous ACL injuries

Injury is a possibility with any sports participation. With the correct training and preparation, however, athletes can reduce their risk of getting hurt.

Diagnosing ACL Tears

Anyone who experiences a knee injury should immediately seek medical attention. The physician will begin the diagnosis process with a physical exam. They will assess the knee’s range of motion and ask the patient questions about their symptoms and when the injury occurred. They may also examine other structures in the knee for damage.

If the physical examination is inconclusive, imaging tests may be ordered. An X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan can confirm that the ACL is torn and determine whether any bones, cartilage, or other structures are damaged. The imaging test is also useful in evaluating the severity of the tear, which may help physicians plan the best treatment.

Treatment Options for ACL Tear

After evaluating the injury, the Southlake Orthopaedics team will then recommend a treatment plan. The most appropriate treatment will depend on the severity of the tear.

Low-grade tears can often be treated non-surgically. Southlake Orthopaedics provides a full-service, surgeon-led orthotics lab where patients can be fitted with a custom brace to stabilize or immobilize the knee. They will then undergo physical therapy and rehabilitation to rebuild strength and range of motion. Our goal is to facilitate a gradual return to sports activities.

High-grade and complete tears are treated with surgery. The Southlake Orthopaedics surgeon will use an arthroscope, or small camera, to view and repair the damaged ligament. This enables a less-invasive procedure for less pain and a faster recovery.

Meet Our Team

Services at Southlake Orthopaedics are provided by a team of board-certified, multi-specialty physicians. They have expertise in orthopedic and sports medicine at every stage, including diagnosis, non-surgical treatments, surgery, and rehabilitation. Our doctors include:

These experienced physicians help patients achieve less pain, more living, through a comprehensive approach to care that covers every phase from diagnosis to rehabilitation. Our offices are located in Birmingham-Grandview and Hoover, AL. Contact us to learn more about our knee injury treatments or to schedule an appointment for diagnosis.

Find ACL Tear Treatment in Alabama

A sports injury doesn’t have to keep athletes from doing what they love. Patients can find less pain, more living with treatment at Southlake Orthopaedics. Serving individuals throughout central Alabama, we treat ACL tears and other orthopedic conditions at our locations in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL. Contact us to learn more or to schedule an appointment.

ACL Tear Treatment