Should you go to an orthopedic doctor?

A lot of people, especially those who are active in sports, experience ACL strains and tears. This usually happens when a person suddenly stops after running really fast, changes direction quickly, or lands incorrectly from a jump.

How do you know if you have the injury? If you have ACL strains and tears, you will most likely feel pain and there will be swelling. These may subside after some time, but you should still see an orthopedic doctor for a check up. Most of the time, this injury worsens when ignored. Other symptoms may be limited motion and range, discomfort when walking, and tenderness in the joint.

If you notice that you are experiencing all these symptoms, go to your local orthopedic doctor in Asheboro NC and have your knees checked. You probably have ACL strains and tears and early treatment will be best for you. However, if the injury is severe, your doctor may recommend surgery to regain knee functions.

ACL Reconstruction: Quick Facts

The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL is a small ligament located inside your knee joint that stabilizes your   knee. Any injury or tearing  in this area will drastically change your movement dynamics. It has ended the careers of many professional athletes and restrained the mobility of active individuals. If left untreated, the knee will literally slide on itself thus opening up an avenue for further injuries.

Have you heard about a pro athlete or a friend with an ACL injury? It usually takes several months or years for rehabilitation and training to restore your joint to their pre-injury status.

Because ACL reconstruction is a very complex procedure, the sports medicine orthopedic surgeon’s expertise and experience will matter. Repair will involve replacing the torn tendon with another tendon from another part of the body (usually the hamstrings or the patella) or use a cadaver’s tissue.  The placement of the ligament is very important because this affects the stability and the amount of movement they are trying to replicate.

At Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Asheboro NC., orthopedic doctors employ the latest and most promising ACL reconstruction technique. Anatomic ACL reconstruction is the process of replicating the original position of the torn ligament with a new one. The orthopedic surgeons must be able to identify the correct location of the local ligament and replicate the function of the native ligament. Another approach is using two tendons to replicate the original.

Orthopedic doctors can also use two tendons to replicate the original, this is called the double bundle approach. The two ligament implants will limit rotation yet allow for the sliding motion of the tibia on the femur.  Finding the right anatomic position gives the best results. Visit Randolph Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for a consultation about ACL repair.