An ACL injury is a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament of the knee. Ligaments are tough tissue bands attaching bone to bone. The ACL is one of two ligaments that criss-cross in the middle of the knee and connect the tibia to the femur to help maintain balance. If you have a torn ACL, it’s important to seek ACL injury treatment as soon as possible.
Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis
Most ACL injuries occur during sports activities such as football, basketball, soccer, or tennis. Movements involving jumping, pivoting, or sudden stops often result in a torn ACL. If you live in the Phoenix area and have experienced a knee injury, we can provide diagnosis and treatment.
Some of the symptoms of an ACL injury include:
- An audible “pop” or sensation of “popping”
- Feeling of “giving” way when weight bearing
- Intense pain
- Swelling within hours of event
- Limited range of motion
During an appointment at our office, we will check your knee for swelling and/or tenderness. We might manipulate the knee to check the range of motion and assess joint tenderness. A diagnosis may be made on the basis of a physical exam, but further testing may be needed before an ACL injury treatment plan can be created.
Regenerative Medicine vs. Surgery
Many doctors may recommend surgery for your ACL injury. During such a procedure, the surgeon removes the injured ligament and replaces it with a piece of tendon called a graft. The surgery can be successful, but it is quite involved.
Regenerative medicine procedures like PRP and OrthoBiologics therapy can actually encourage the body to repair and revive itself. Who wouldn’t want the benefits of professional ACL injury treatment without the surgical aspect?
If you live in or near Phoenix and would like to learn more about your options regarding ACL injury treatment, make an appointment at Phoenix Regenerative Medicine. Contact us today to book your appointment in Phoenix.
