Knee - ACL Tear and Arthroscopic Reconstruction

Tear of the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) in the knee is among the most common knee injuries, especially among physically active people and athletes, and one which can be successfully treated via Arthroscopic ACL Knee Reconstruction surgery.

How does someone injure the ACL?

The ACL is a ligament that connects the tibia (leg) to the femur (thigh) and one which is frequently injured in contact sports such as football, soccer, basketball, and skiing - although there are many scenarios for injury to this ligament, such as accidents in the home, in the workplace, and automobile accidents. ACL injuries among athletes tend to be more common in women - such as a female soccer player who suddenly changes direction and feels a pop in her knee. In contact sports, such as football, the injury typically occurs when another player impacts the side of the knee. Often people will complain of hearing a loud "pop", which is the sound of the actual ligament tearing.

What happens after the injury?

The initial symptoms are pain and fairly immediate swelling. This can cause acute pain to the knee and the inability to walk right after the accident. After the pain and swelling subside, people often complain of episodes of instability, or “giving-way” and of the knee feeling loose. For some this will be a minor nuisance; for others, it will be a significant disability.

In such cases, patients may undergo Arthroscopic ACL Knee Reconstruction surgery. This minimally invasive procedure is used to graft tendons, usually from the patient’s own body, to reconstruct the ACL Ligament. Recovery times after surgery, which vary by patient, are

typically short and rarely require hospitalization – a patient can typically have the surgery in the morning and go home the same day. Following healing and recovery, and after appropriate therapy and rehabilitation, most patients will be able to resume normal activities, including sports.

Dr. Manouel has been performing Arthroscopic ACL Knee Reconstruction surgery successfully for over 10 years on patients of all ages, and applies his extensive knowledge of Sports Medicine to treat athletes using this technique.

You may schedule an appointment for an initial consultation with Dr. Manouel for your knee or any other sports related injury by calling Able Orthopedic & Sports Medicine at

718.897.2228

Learn more about Shoulder Injuries and Arthroscopic Rotator Cuff Repair.