ACL Reconstruction Surgery Los Angeles
The term ‘ACL’ refers to the anterior cruciate ligament. This is a ligament that is found inside the knee and helps control the back and forth motion of the joint. It spans diagonally across the middle of the knee, providing stability for the knee and preventing the shinbone from sliding in front of the thighbone. Because of the location of the anterior cruciate ligament, the ACL is especially vulnerable to injury during physical activity.
For more information on whether an ACL reconstruction procedure is right for you, schedule an appointment with Dr. Steven Meier by calling (310) 777-7845 or filling out the online contact form.
Common reasons for ACL tears are rapid changes of direction, sudden stops, slowing suddenly while running, landing wrong from a jump, and direct contact on the knee.
Symptoms of a torn ACL include:
- pain
- swelling
- limited range of motion
- tenderness
When an ACL is completely torn it cannot heal on its own. For this reason, surgeons must perform an ACL reconstruction to restore full function to the knee.
To learn more about the ACL reconstruction procedure, call Meier Orthopedic Sports Medicine at (310) 777-7845 today. You can schedule an appointment with orthopedic surgeon Dr. Meier or get the answer to any questions you may still have.
ACL Reconstruction Surgery Steps
During the ACL procedure, Dr. Meier will make several small incisions around the knee. He will then insert an arthroscope, a small camera, into the knee to assess the damage. If the anterior cruciate ligament is completely torn, Dr. Meier will then remove it and replace it with a graft. Grafts for the ACL reconstruction procedure are either made from the patient’s own tissue or from a donor.
Once the procedure is completed, Dr. Meier will close the incision with sutures. For the next several weeks most patients will wear a knee brace to support the joint. Patients may also have to use crutches to avoid putting weight on the joint. During this time, Dr. Meier will discuss further rehabilitation options.
Next, learn more about ACL reconstruction rehab.
