What to Expect From ACL Surgery

Made famous in the sports world, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries can leave athletes and other sufferers with pain and a limited amount of function. Many treatment options exist for ACL tears at Orthopedic Associates of Port Huron, and through a great team of specialists and hard work during rehabilitation, returning to pre-injury function is just a few months away.

“Located in the knee area, the ACL is one of four major ligaments needed for healthy knee function,” says Dr. Todd P. Murphy, sports medicine specialist at Orthopedic Associates of Port Huron. “Conservative treatment options exist for ACL tears, but sometimes surgery is required.”

The goal of an ACL surgery is to repair the torn tendon or any other injured parts of the knee such as bones or cartilage. Additionally, ACL reconstruction can help prevent other bone diseases such as arthritis from occurring down the road. Depending on the type of surgery, an overnight stay in the hospital may be required.

Once surgery is completed, patients will begin a physical rehabilitation program that could last up to several months. This time is needed to rebuild strength in the knee to ensure no additional injuries occur. Normal activities can resume after a specialist has determined you are physically able to perform them.

Have you suffered an ACL tear? Contact the orthopedic and sports medicine specialists at Orthopedic Associates of Port Huron at (810) 985-4900.