ACL Injury

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.

What is the ACL?

Your knees are large and complex joints that bring together three bones:

Your femur
Your tibia
Your patella (kneecap)

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

How can the ACL be injured?

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.

Grade 1 sprain

You pull or strain your ACL, but it’s still providing some stability in your knee.

Grade 2 sprain

Your injury strains your ACL to the point where it becomes loose or partially torn, compromising your knee’s stability.

Grade 3 sprain

If your ACL tears completely, and you lose all support, this is a grade 3 sprain.

What are the signs of an ACL injury?

The most common symptoms of distress in your ACL are:

A popping noise or sensation
Pain
Swelling
Loss of stability
Loss of range of motion

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s a good idea to make an appointment at Titan Orthopedics.

What are the treatments for ACL injuries?

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:

Resting
Bracing
Anti-inflammatory medications
Physical therapy
Regenerative medicine

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.