ACL Tear Surgical Treatment in Westchester County

ACL tears can happen at a moment’s notice when least expected, and the ramifications of sustaining such an injury can be long-lasting. If you believe you’ve suffered an ACL tear, do not hesitate to dial 914.686.0111 and consult Specialty Orthopaedics for treatment today! Our talented team of Orthopedic specialists serves Harrison and the surrounding areas of New York!

What Is An ACL Tear?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the main ligaments in your knee that helps you to remain balanced, walk, and move freely in your day-to-day activities. The ACL provides rotation control so you can quickly change directions when walking or running and gives the knee overall protection and stability. This ligament is an important part of the knee and is also one of the most commonly injured portions of the knee. When the ACL tears, it often requires surgery to repair, as well as physical therapy and adequate time off from sports and other activities that place stress on the knee joint.

Normal ACL Vs. Torn ACL

Causes Of ACL Tears

ACL tears are most common among athletes, but this type of injury can happen to anyone. They most often are the result of one of the following:

• Suddenly changing direction, especially when running
• Suddenly twisting the leg and/or knee
• Falling down and landing on the knee

ACL Tear Symptoms

ACL injuries are quite painful and you’ll likely know you’ve suffered from an ACL injury right after it occurs. Visit Specialty Orthopaedics if you experience any of the following common ACL injury symptoms:

• Knee pain
• Knee swelling
• A “pop” sound or feeling in the knee at the time of the injury

Diagnosing An ACL Tear

Our doctors have fellowship training to address injuries like ACL tears, so you can feel confident we will make an accurate diagnosis and provide you with access to the best treatment options. When you visit one of our doctors for an evaluation, we go over any relevant medical issues that you’ve had in the past and discuss your current symptoms with you. Then, we’ll fully examine your affected knee, using x-rays, MRI scans, and CAT scans whenever necessary to locate and evaluate the injury.

ACL Tear Treatment

ACL injuries are problematic for many because they will not heal well on their own unless they are only partially torn, which is not common. Instead, most ACL injuries require surgery to fix. This is particularly the case if the patient is an athlete or leads an active lifestyle. Our surgeons have access to the most innovative knee surgery technologies, so we can give you the best possible outcome with the shortest recovery time. In most cases, we’ll recommend ACL repair / ACL reconstruction in addition to a personalized, post-surgery recovery plan that helps you get back to your active life as soon as possible.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Do ACL Tears Require Surgery?

Not all ACL injuries will require surgery. The severity of your ACL tear and a thorough examination by our Sports Medicine & Arthroscopic Surgery Specialist, Dr. Yasmin Dhar, will help determine if surgery is the best option for you. Both complete and partial ACL tears can be treated effectively with nonsurgical methods. However, most ACL injuries are healed faster with surgery.

Can An ACL Tear Heal Without Surgery?

Yes, it is possible for ACL tears to heal without surgery as long as your sprain is minor. Minor ACL tears can benefit from non-surgical treatments such as continued physical therapy or regenerative medicine therapy.

For people whose lifestyle does not involve heavy physical activity or the need to make repeated movements on the knee, physical therapy rehabilitation can be a highly effective non-surgical treatment for ACL tears after continued progress. However, if you are an athlete or an active person suffering from a full ACL tear, surgery may be your only option for restoring your knee to its full capability.

What Happens If You Tear Your ACL and Don’t Get Surgery?

Leaving your ACL injury untreated can be treated. If nothing is done to address your ACL tear, it is possible that the sprain can turn into a chronic ACL deficiency, affecting your ability to use your knees. Your knee will become more sensitive and unstable with time, making everyday tasks such as standing and walking very painful and difficult.

With an untreated ACL tear, the cartilage and menisci in your knee can become damaged. This can lead to early osteoarthritis, a degenerative joint disease where the tissues in the joint break down over time. Osteoarthritis is mostly common in elderly adults and occurs due to wear and tear of the joints. However, if an ACL tear is left untreated, this condition can develop at a much younger age.

What Is ACL Repair / ACL Reconstruction?

ACL reconstruction is the surgery performed to repair a torn ACL. During this procedure, your surgeon will remove the damaged ligament from your knee and replace it with a new one. This new ligament comes from a tissue graft, which often comes from the patient’s own kneecap tendons or hamstrings. Tissue grafts from donors may also be used.

ACL reconstruction surgery is performed by using minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques, meaning that only small incisions are made on the knee. A larger incision may be made to retrieve the tissue graft.

After this, the wound will be closed with either stitches or surgical clips. They should disappear within three weeks.

How Long Is the Recovery Time After an ACL Reconstruction Surgery?

Although ACL reconstruction surgeries have a success rate of 80% to 90%, once the surgery is complete, a patient may have to commit to a six to 12-month recovery period where continued treatment, such as physical therapy, will encourage optimal healing of your knee post-surgery. Your post-surgical treatment will focus on repairing your ACL tear.

In the few weeks after your surgery, you may experience bruising, swelling, and redness in your leg. This can occur anywhere between the knee and the ankle, but most patients experience discomfort at the front of their shin. While these side effects are common, they can be hard to manage. Luckily, our team at Specialty Orthopaedics is ready to support you throughout your surgical recovery. Your side effects should begin to improve after a week. However, if you experience worsening discomfort, contact us as soon as possible. We are ready to help!

Why Choose Specialty Orthopaedics for ACL Tear Treatment?

At Speciality Orthopaedics, we take pride in our ability to provide high-quality care to patients in New York, looking to heal their injuries in an effective, sustainable way. As a Board-Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon, Dr. Dhar provides personalized treatment to patients who need to repair ACL injuries. Anyone suffering from an ACL tear can benefit from a consultation with Dr. Dhar. As a Sports Medicine Specialist, athletes whose main goal is to repair their ACL tear and get back to physical activity and playing sports as soon as possible can feel confident in her expertise and ability to provide an ACL reconstruction surgery that allows you to recover successfully.

Schedule An ACL Tear Consult in Harrison, NY!

If you are experiencing symptoms of an ACL tear, visit Specialty Orthopaedics. Our New York orthopedic practice is home to a team of fellowship-trained orthopedists in a variety of orthopedic specialty areas. We offer comprehensive treatment for musculoskeletal disorders in a caring and responsive clinical atmosphere. Give us a call at 914.686.0111 or fill out the form on this page to schedule your appointment today.