Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury
If there’s a chance the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has stretched or torn inside your child’s knee, we know you don’t want to wait. We perform needed tests, make an accurate diagnosis and give you a clear plan as soon as possible.
Our goal is to use the most effective and least invasive treatment possible. If surgery is needed, our surgeons specialize in minimally invasive procedures like arthroscopy and use sophisticated techniques that protect your child’s growing bones. We also treat other injuries associated with ACL injuries:
Damage to other ligaments
ACL tears are one of the most common knee injuries. Together, our team of surgeons, nurses and in-house physical therapists will tailor treatment to your child’s unique condition and provide comprehensive care. We will minimize pain and enable a return to sports and other daily activities.
What are the signs and symptoms of Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury?
The ACL is one of the four major ligaments inside the knee, connecting the back of the thighbone with the front of the shinbone. The ACL stabilizes the knee while it pivots, so injuries can happen in sports with sudden cuts, jumps or twists like soccer, football and basketball.
We advise parents to treat ACL injuries as soon as possible, to avoid further damage and minimize pain and discomfort. Common causes of ACL injuries include:
Stopping suddenly to change directions
Slowing down while running
Enduring repetitive impact from activities such as jumping, running or pivoting
Experiencing forceful contact, such as a football tackle
Landing incorrectly from a jump
Girls — and especially female athletes — face a greater risk of ACL injury because of anatomical differences like pelvic width. Other causes can include muscle strength imbalance and problems landing.
ACL injuries are commonly linked with a “popping” sound followed by swelling. Signs and symptoms can vary from child to child, though, and can include:
Pain
Swelling
Tenderness
Limited range of motion in the knee
Discomfort walking
How is Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury diagnosed?
At the Andrews Institute, our experienced physicians start with a physical exam of your child’s knee to help determine if the ACL is torn. We may also order imaging scans such as an X-ray or MRI to confirm the diagnosis and look for other knee injuries.
Your child’s physical evaluation may include:
Comparison of the injured and non-injured knees
Tests to stress the knee and identify weak and possibly injured ligaments
Diagnostic testing may include:
X-ray: Uses invisible electromagnetic energy beams to take detailed images of the bones of the knee, checking for any fractures
MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) scan: Uses magnetic fields and radio waves to take detailed pictures of the knee joint, checking for tears in the ligaments and tendons
How is Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury treated?
If your child is diagnosed with an ACL injury, we work with you to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. Treatment options depend on several factors, including:
Severity of the injury
Age and skeletal development
Activity level and desire to return to sports
For a mild ACL sprain, your physician may recommend initial treatment to reduce pain and discomfort and strengthen the muscles around your child’s knee. Non-surgical treatments include:
Activity modification
Bracing
Physical therapy and rehabilitation
If the ACL is either partially or completely torn, we may recommend surgery:
ACL reconstruction surgery: Surgeons use a piece of tendon from another part of a patient’s leg or from a deceased donor to repair the ACL tear.
All-inside, all-epiphyseal ACL reconstruction (AE) surgery: If a physical exam or diagnostic test shows a patient is still growing, our surgeons use this advanced arthroscopic procedure to repair the ACL tear without disturbing skeletal growth or development.
Our expert pediatric surgeons use advanced techniques to protect your child’s growing bones. They also typically (whenever possible) take a minimally invasive, arthroscopic approach. Benefits of minimally invasive surgery include:
Faster recovery
Less pain after surgery (in most cases)
Smaller incisions
Earlier return to normal activities such as sports
Shorter hospital stay
Decreased infection risk
After surgery, our physicians work collaboratively with in-house physical therapists to create an individualized rehabilitation plan for your child’s unique needs.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury Doctors and Providers
