When it comes to knee injuries, the ACL is legendary for sidelining athletes, but this type of injury can happen to anyone at any age. At Titan Orthopedics, John Lochemes, MD, specializes in ACL injuries, helping his patients in Memphis, Tennessee, regain full use of their knees as quickly as possible. If you’ve injured your ACL, call the experts at Titan Orthopedics or use the online scheduling tool to set up an appointment.
Your knees are large and complex joints that bring together three bones:
Providing a large part of the connection and stability are ligaments that form an “X” across the front and back of your knee — your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament. Your ACL travels diagonally through the middle of your knee and prevents your tibia from moving in front of your femur, and it also provides rotational support.
It’s hard to find a locker room where someone hasn’t injured their ACL, but an ACL injury isn’t confined to athletic pursuits. The bottom line is that any sudden twisting, stopping, jumping, or swift changes in direction can overtax this connective tissue, causing it to pull or tear.
There are several degrees of ACL injuries, including:
You pull or strain your ACL, but it’s still providing some stability in your knee.
Your injury strains your ACL to the point where it becomes loose or partially torn, compromising your knee’s stability.
If your ACL tears completely, and you lose all support, this is a grade 3 sprain.
The most common symptoms of distress in your ACL are:
If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to make an appointment at Titan Orthopedics.
When you see Dr. Lochemes, his first step is to determine the extent of the damage, which he does by reviewing your symptoms and ordering an X-ray or MRI. Once he gains a clearer picture of the problem, he recommends a treatment plan that best fits your unique needs and may include:
If your ACL is partially or completely torn, Dr. Lochemes may recommend minimally invasive surgery in the form of arthroscopy to repair the tissue and restore function to your knee.
To learn more about ACL injury treatments at Titan Orthopedics, call the office or use the booking tool on this website.
