Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tear Treatment From Sports Medicine Specialists in Freehold and Monroe Township, NJ

An ACL tear is an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament, one of four key ligaments that stabilize the knee joint. This type of injury can occur if the knee is twisted, bent sideways, or straightened beyond its normal limits. When an ACL tear occurs, a “pop” or “snap” may be heard or felt, followed by knee pain and swelling that can be quite severe.

At Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute (AOSMI) in Freehold and Monroe Township, New Jersey, we often treat ACL tears in athletes who participate in sports that involve frequent jumping or sudden direction changes, such as basketball, soccer, football, skiing, and gymnastics. We also see patients who sustain an ACL tear through direct trauma to the knee.

How Is an ACL Tear Treated?

ACL tear treatment often involves surgery, but there are conservative treatment options as well. For instance, with physical therapy, it may be possible to strengthen the muscles that support the knee enough to allow for a gradual return to daily activities without surgery. In the meantime, a supportive knee brace can be worn to enhance mobility.

In many cases, the decision on whether or not to proceed with the surgery is at least partly a personal choice. At AOSMI, we offer a full range of conservative and surgical treatment options for ACL tears. We take an individualized approach to orthopedic care, working closely with each patient to determine the optimal plan based on many unique factors, including:

• The extent of the ACL tear; e.g., whether it is diagnosed as a grade I, II, or III sprain
• The location of the damage
• The stability of the knee joint
• Whether other knee injuries or conditions, such as osteoarthritis, are present
• The patient’s ability and willingness to complete a long and rigorous rehabilitation program
• The patient’s age, overall health, lifestyle, and preferences

Sometimes, an unrepaired ACL tear can ultimately damage the meniscus, the protective cartilage that reduces friction between the bones in the knee joint. Because meniscal damage can lead to early-onset knee arthritis, many athletes and other active individuals opt for a surgical ACL tear repair followed by a targeted physical therapy program designed to rehabilitate the knee.

Comprehensive ACL Tear Treatment at AOSMI

You can receive comprehensive ACL tear treatment from the experienced knee specialists at Advanced Orthopedics and Sports Medicine Institute in Freehold or Monroe Township, NJ. Every board-certified, fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine physician in our practice is committed to rehabilitating our patients’ injuries quickly and safely. To learn more, contact us today.