In sports medicine, a very common injury I see in athletes is anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears. Seventy percent of all torn ACL injuries are non-contact injuries that occur when an athlete lands from a jump or changes direction, and the force on the ligament ruptures it.
The current standard of practice is to replace the torn ACL with either a tendon from somewhere else in the body, or tissue from the tissue bank, which is very similar to receiving blood. In the following video, I discuss the ACL in more detail, various treatment options, who is an ideal candidate for surgery and more.
Patients with other leg and knee injuries or conditions may find the following information helpful:
About the Author: Charles E. Rhoades, M.D., is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in conditions of the hand and upper extremities. His other areas of expertise involve the shoulder and sports injuries of the knee.
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The medical information contained in the Dickson-Diveley Orthopaedics website is provided to increase your knowledge and understanding of orthopedic conditions. This information should not be interpreted as recommendation for a specific medical or surgical treatment plan. As each patient may have specific symptoms or associated problems, the treatment regimen for a specific patient may not be the proper treatment for another.
Gaining knowledge and understanding of a particular problem or condition is the first step in any medical treatment plan. I believe the information presented on our website will be helpful for those individuals experiencing leg and knee pain, sports injuries, or other related problems. However, this information is not intended to replace the advice of your family physician. You are encouraged to consult with your physician to discuss any course of treatment presented or suggested.
