ACL Reconstruction Specialist

Pinnacle Orthopaedics

Orthopedic Surgery & Sports Medicine Specialists located in McMinnville, TN

If you tear your ACL, causing severe pain and swelling, you need immediate medical attention. Board-certified orthopaedic surgeon Jeffrey Peterson, DO, and his team provide ACL reconstruction at Pinnacle Orthopaedics, which has offices in McMinnville and Sparta, Tennessee. They restore the use of your knee and stabilize it. To schedule an evaluation, call the friendly office today or book an appointment online.

931-815-2663

ACL Reconstruction Q & A

What is ACL reconstruction?

Ligaments connect your bones with sturdy strands of tissue. Your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) crosses over the middle of your knee, connecting your shinbone to your thighbone, keeping your knee joint secure.

If you damage your ACL, Dr. Peterson does an ACL reconstruction, replacing the torn ligament with part of a tendon from a donor.

ACL injuries happen in all sorts of ways. Most occur while playing a sport or during high-impact physical activity.

When is ACL reconstruction necessary?

Movements and activities that stress your knee can damage the joint. These movements and activities include:

Twisting it
Stopping too suddenly
Changing directions too quickly
Falling on it

Although these actions can tear your ACL, in some cases, you might only sprain it, partially tearing it. If this happens, the injury might be able to heal on its own with physical therapy.

If you suffer a more severe injury or you totally rupture your ACL, you might need surgery. A complete tear won’t heal on its own, but if you don’t live an active lifestyle, you might be able to manage the injury without surgery.

If you’re an athlete or participate in active hobbies, surgery will likely be necessary to fix your injury and get you back into the game again.

How does ACL reconstruction recovery work?

After your ACL reconstruction, you might feel lethargic for a few days. You can also expect to see swelling in your knee and numbness at your incision site. Apply ice to reduce the swelling. You might also need to wear a brace and change your activities. Dr. Peterson monitors you throughout your recovery and gives you a detailed rehab plan to follow.

It can take 6-9 months for your knee to fully heal, regain its full function and range of motion. You should then be able to put all of your weight on the repaired knee joint.

Call Pinnacle Orthopaedics today or use the online booking tool to schedule an appointment if you’ve suffered a knee injury.