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Knee

ACL Reconstruction

Why Might You Need ACL Reconstruction?

ACL reconstruction is a surgery that helps replace a torn ACL, which is an important ligament in your knee. Here’s why it might be recommended for you:

  • For Kids and Teens: If a kid or teenager tears their ACL completely, their knee can become very unstable. Since kids are usually very active, it’s hard to limit their movements or stop them from doing sports and daily activities. Reconstructing the ACL can help them stay active while decreasing the risk of damaging other structures in the knee like the meniscus or cartilage.
  • For Adults Over 40: If you’re over 40 and enjoy activities like skiing, basketball, soccer, or tennis fixing a torn ACL can help you get back to these activities. It’s especially helpful for people who do sports with lots of side-to-side movement, cutting or pivoting. However, if you do not participate in activities such as these, you can speak to your surgeon about non-operative management.

Before you can have ACL surgery, you need to have full knee range of motion, similar to your uninjured knee. Doing exercises and working with a physical therapist can help improve your knee movement and reduce the risk of stiffness after surgery.

We will use a special technique called minimally invasive arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. Here’s what happens:

  • Small Cuts: Two small cuts are made around your knee to insert tiny cameras and tools.
  • Cleaning and Repairing: The old, torn ACL is cleaned out. Then, small tunnels are made in the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia). A small cut, about 2-3 cm long, is needed for this.
  • New ACL: A new ACL graft is placed in the knee and secured in both the thigh and shin bones.

If the new ACL is taken from your own body (called an autograft), a longer cut is needed to get the graft.

At a Glance

Meet Our Team

  • Nationally Renowned Orthopedic Surgeons
  • Double Board-Certified, Fellowship-Trained
  • Previous Medical Staff for the NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL, MLS, PGA and Olympics
Meet Dr. Nima Mehran Meet Dr. Matt Muffly