torn acl 

(anterior cruciate ligament)

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries affect men and women across a wide age range and at all levels of athletics. The ACL is responsible for stabilizing knee rotation that occurs during pivoting movements. An athlete often plants their foot on the ground to change directions and the ACL cannot withstand the force placed on it, so it tears, causing the knee to buckle or give out. The ACL also can be torn if the knee becomes hyperextended after a forceful jump.

 

An ACL injury causes pain and a lot of swelling in the knee. You may have felt or heard a “popping” noise in the knee. Walking with an ACL tear may be painful. It is also usually hard to bend and straighten the knee completely. Even once swelling goes down, you may feel like the knee is unstable.

 

If you are diagnosed with a tear in your anterior cruciate ligament, here are some treatment options performed by Dr. Robert Ference. These procedures may apply after more conservative treatments such as exercise, physical therapy, and medications are not helping ease your symptoms. Dr. Ference may recommend other options during your in-office consultation where you can be properly diagnosed and discuss your goals for recovery. To make an appointment, please use the contact form at the bottom of the page or call 248-626-0135, option #5.