What is the ACL?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) are rope-like tissues that form an “X” shape inside your knee joint. The ACL crosses in front of the PCL and is the most easily injured of the two. When it’s healthy, the ACL keeps your knee stable as you rotate it, and it keeps your tibia and femur in proper alignment.

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How does the ACL get torn?
You can easily tear your ACL when playing sports or engaging in other high-impact or quick-moving activities that require you to change direction, jump, or stop suddenly.

Female athletes are more susceptible to ACL injuries, which may be due to the hormone estrogen’s loosening effect on ligaments as well as alignment differences in the pelvis and leg. Dr. Copeland has a special interest in treating ACL tears and other sports injuries in female athletes.

 

How does an orthopedist treat an ACL tear?
ACL sprains are graded by severity. In a Grade 1 sprain, your ligament is stretched but intact, and your knee is stable. Grade 2 sprains are rare because the ACL is only partially torn. The most severe ACL sprain, Grade 3, is characterized by instability in the knee and an ACL that’s completely ripped in two.

For a Grade 1 sprain, Dr. Copeland may recommend conservative treatments, such as rest and bracing of the knee. A torn ACL, on the other hand, can only be reconstructed with arthroscopic surgery. Dr. Copeland reconstructs the ACL with a tissue graft from your own body, or an artificial ligament.

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How are women treated for ACL tears?
Women experience ACL tears more frequently than men for a number of reasons:

• Body alignment: Women tend to have wider hips and knees that point inward, both of which can increase the risk of a knee injury.

• Muscular differences: On average, women have less muscle strength and use different muscles than men for many physical tasks, creating greater strain on certain areas of the body.

• Range of motion: Women are typically more flexible than men and have a wider range of motion, making hyperextension and other extreme muscle stretches more likely.

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Dr. Copeland understands that because their bodies are unique, women benefit from a unique approach to treatment. After treating your injury, Dr. Copeland provides women with specific exercises and training they can perform to strengthen their knees and prevent future injury.

Early treatment improves your prognosis and recovery time. If you think you have a torn ACL, call Dr. Copeland’s helpful staff or request an appointment online at Fondren Orthopedic Group - Clear Lake today..