ACL

You don't always have to have major surgery when you tear your ACL!

The anterior cruciate ligament holds the femur and tibia bones together. When the ligament tears, the knee becomes loose and can give way or be painful.

At our clinic you will be evaluated, and your MRI images will be reviewed. In many cases we have found that a simple in office relatively pain-free treatment can help the ACL heal naturally. This is done using ultrasound imaging and micro-arthroscopy.

Check out the Mi-Eye arthroscope.

mi-eye

For more severe tears that are acute you may need to have a repair using the bear implant which is also minimally invasive or an all inside ACL reconstruction.

FAQ

What is ACL surgery?

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery is the primary treatment for an ACL tear. The ACL is a ligament that connects the thigh bone to the shinbone. This ligament stabilizes your knee and allows you to move your leg back and forth.

Any sudden stop or pivot of the knee may tear the ACL, causing a sprain. ACL tears vary in severity, from a mild stretching to a partial or complete tear. Most ACL injuries are a partial or complete tear.

Who needs ACL surgery?

Dr. Elbaz is a skilled orthopedic surgeon who takes a conservative approach to care. He determines who needs ACL surgery based on the severity of the tear, lifestyle, and personal goals.

He may recommend surgery if you have a complete tear and live an active lifestyle. If you have a partial tear, Dr. Elbaz may recommend conservative care first before proceeding to surgery. 

Older adults and people who don’t engage in rigorous physical activity may not need ACL surgery, even if they have a complete tear. 

Incomplete or partial tears of the ACL can be treated with regenerative cells in the office. Dr. Elbaz is a recognized expert in regenerative orthopedics and offers innovative therapies that stimulate the body’s natural healing process. He can talk to you about these nonsurgical options and how they may help with your ACL injury. 

What happens during ACL surgery?

Dr. Elbaz customizes your ACL surgery plan to meet your needs and reviews the details at your presurgical visit. When possible, he uses minimally invasive techniques to limit surgical incision size, post-surgical pain, and recovery time.

If you have a complete ACL tear, Dr. Elbaz recommends having surgery three to six weeks after your injury. During the procedure, Dr. Elbaz repairs your ACL with the Bear implant or reconstructs your ACL using graft tissue from your hamstring, quadricep, or patellar tendon, or from human donor tendon.

How long does it take to recover from ACL surgery?

When using minimally invasive procedures you should be walking with a brace immediately.

You will then work with a physical therapist on a rehab protocol specific to your injury and treatment performed.

Recovery following PRP/regerative cell treatment takes 3-4 months, and for ACL surgery usually takes 6-9 months.

Dr. Elbaz may also include regenerative orthopedics during your recovery to support the body’s healing process. This may include platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy or Lipogems® adipose/fat therapy. 

To schedule an ACL surgery consultation at Alain E. Elbaz, MD, PLLC, call or use the online booking tool today.