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Sports
Medicine
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
(ACL)Anterior Cruciate Ligament rupture is incredibly
common, with an annual incidence in the United States of 100,000. The ACL
serves as the primary restraint of anterior tibial translation and secondary
restraint to tibial rotation. Therefore, rupture leads to excessive tibial
translation and rotation. Classically, ACL injuries result from non-contact
injuries, frequently with a rapid deceleration, jumping, or “cutting” while
participating in sports. Patients will frequently report hearing a “pop”
followed by swelling of the knee. The natural history of the ACL-deficient knee
is difficult to summarize due to different patient demands and degrees of
injury.
Frequently, the meniscus of the knee may be injured at the same time,
and less commonly, the cartilage may be damaged. A thorough physical
examination can help diagnose an ACL tear. An MRI scan can confirm the
diagnosis. Treatment is based on a patient’s wishes to return to activity.
Non-operative treatment requires lifestyle modification, bracing, and
aggressive rehabilitation, and may be recommended for low demand, middle aged
patients. Surgical reconstruction is recommended for patients who want to
return to athletic activity.
For more information, please see
the following articles:
Meniscal Tear
The meniscus of the knee is cartilage inside the
knee joint that serves as a shock absorber between the bones. Tears of the
meniscus are common, especially in athletes. A torn meniscus can cause
inflammation (knee effusion) and mechanical symptoms, such as locking and
catching within the knee. A thorough physical examination can lead to the
suspicion of a meniscal tear. An MRI can confirm the diagnosis. Sometimes,
conservative treatment alone, including physical therapy, and anti-inflammatories,
can help a patient return to his/her prior activity level after a meniscal
tear. However, symptomatic meniscal tears are frequently treated with
arthroscopic excision or repair, depending on the location and quality of the
tear and patient age.
For more information, please see
the following article:
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