- Orthopaedic & Neurosurgery Specialists PC (ONS)

Each year, at least 1 in 3,000 Americans between the ages of 14 and 55 tear an anterior cruciate ligament while exercising or playing sports. Skiers, and basketball, soccer and football players are more likely to rupture their ACL, although risk for this injury in not limited to a particular level of athlete or age group. The ACL connects the shinbone (tibia) to the thighbone (femur) and acts as a stabilizer to help prevent the shinbone from sliding forward beneath the thighbone. When the knee undergoes a severe twist or excessive pressure, the ACL can tear causing the knee to give out. With a ruptured ACL, the knee can feel wobbly and may easily become unstable by the sudden planting or pivoting on the leg. The ligament is like a tightly-braided rope and when torn, is not repairable, even when the tear is partial.

Illustration reproduced with permission from Fischer S, (interim ed): Your Orthopaedic Connection. Rosemont, IL, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Available at http://orthoinfo.aaos.org.org/.

ACL Repair

An estimated 100,000 ACL reconstructions are performed annually in the United States. According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS), ACL reconstruction is recommended for individuals who want to continue to play tennis, ski, or participate in other sports, or whose knee is unstable during normal daily activities like walking. A reconstructed ACL not only stabilizes the knee, but also prevents damage to the menisci cartilage that often occurs due to an unstable joint.

Surgeons use part of the patient’s own tendon or a cadaver tendon to reconstruct the ACL. This surgery is often done arthroscopically and has a 95 percent success rate. It is important that the patient follows surgery with a physical therapy program designed to strengthen the quadriceps muscles and restore mobility.