ACL Tear

One of the most common knee injuries is a partial or full tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Athletes who play sports like football, basketball, and soccer are most at risk. Sports medicine orthopedic surgeon Kyle Borque, MD, a national leader in ACL surgery, swiftly diagnoses and treats ACL tears. Call the office in Houston or Sugar Land, Texas, or use this website to book an appointment online.

What is an ACL tear? 

The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of the major ligaments of your knee. Ligaments are ropes that attach two bones: the ACL is a rope that attaches the thigh bone, or femur, to the shin bone or tibia. The primary role of the ACL is to stabilize the knee when the joint twists and to protect the meniscus and cartilage during pivoting activities.  

Tearing of the ligament most commonly occurs when you plant your foot and twist around, but it can also result from hyperextending the knee or from direct trauma (such as being tackled while playing sports). You might hear a “pop” at the time of injury. Along with your ACL, it’s common to also experience tears to other knee ligaments or the meniscus. Correct diagnosis and treatment of all injured structures is vital to a successful return to activity and is a focus of Dr. Borque. 

Who is at risk of an ACL tear? 

Tearing of the ACL usually happens to athletes who play contact sports, but it can occur during other activities. Although both men and women can experience an ACL tear, women are four to five times more likely to suffer the injury. 

An ACL tear can happen when you change directions quickly, stop suddenly, land incorrectly from a jump, or get tackled and kicked on the leg. 

What symptoms suggest that I’ve torn my ACL? 

In addition to pain at your knee joint and the possible popping noise at the time of injury, you might also notice:

• Loss of the knee's full range of motion
• Discomfort or pain when walking
• Tenderness along the line of the joint
• Feeling of instability in the joint

The area around your knee joint will usually swell considerably in the 24 hours following the injury, but this is not always the case.  

How do you treat ACL tears? 

Dr. Borque customizes your treatment depending on your age and level of activity. The first treatment steps often consist of icing to resolve the swelling and exercises to restore the knee’s range of motion.

Dr. Borque usually recommends surgery to young patients, competitive athletes, or anyone who wants to return to pivoting activities or sports like soccer or basketball. Attempting to return to these activities without surgery risks further damage to the knee, usually involving the meniscus and the cartilage, which can permanently affect the function of the knee. 

Surgery most commonly involves ACL reconstruction because the ligament can’t just be stitched back together. Rarely, some ACLs tear in a way that can be treated with repair. This is a case-by-case decision that Dr. Borque will discuss with you. 

Dr. Borque uses a tissue graft obtained from your quadricep, hamstring tendon, or patellar tendon to rebuild new connective tissue. Healing from ACL reconstruction surgery takes time, so expect to take at least six months to rehabilitate.  

If you need your ACL evaluated and could possibly require surgical repair, reach out to Houston Methodist Orthopedics and Sports Medicine. Call today or use the online tool to book an appointment.