An ACL tear is one of the most common and significant knee injuries, especially among athletes and active individuals. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) plays a crucial role in stabilizing the knee, and when it is damaged, everyday movement—and certainly athletic performance—can become extremely difficult. At T&P Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, our orthopedic specialists diagnose and treat ACL injuries using the most advanced surgical and non-surgical techniques to help patients return to full strength safely.
What Causes an ACL Tear?
The ACL can tear from sudden, forceful movements that place stress on the knee. These often include:
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Pivoting or twisting the knee while the foot is planted
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Sudden stops or direction changes
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Jumping and landing awkwardly
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Direct impact to the knee during contact sports
ACL tears frequently occur in sports like soccer, basketball, football, and skiing—but they can happen to anyone.
Common Symptoms
Patients with an ACL tear often experience some combination of the following:
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A sudden “pop” at the time of injury
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Immediate swelling within the first few hours
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Knee instability or the feeling that the knee is “giving out”
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Pain when bearing weight
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Limited range of motion
If you experience these symptoms, it is important to seek orthopedic evaluation quickly to prevent further damage to cartilage or meniscus tissue.
How ACL Tears Are Diagnosed
Diagnosis typically includes a physical examination, stability testing, and imaging such as:
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MRI to confirm ligament damage
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X-rays to rule out fractures
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Knee stability assessments to evaluate functional limitations
Our orthopedic surgeons use detailed diagnostic tools to assess the severity of the tear and determine if additional structures are injured as well.
Treatment Options
Treatment depends on activity level, severity of the injury, and patient goals.
Non-Surgical Treatment
For patients with partial tears or lower activity levels, treatment may include:
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Bracing to stabilize the knee
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Physical therapy to strengthen muscles around the knee
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Activity modification to avoid instability episodes
This approach works best for individuals who do not require high-demand pivoting movements.
Surgical Treatment
A full ACL tear usually requires ACL reconstruction to restore knee stability. During reconstruction, the torn ligament is replaced with a graft, which may come from the patient (autograft) or a donor (allograft). Our surgeons perform minimally invasive arthroscopic ACL reconstruction, allowing for:
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Smaller incisions
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Faster recovery
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Reduced postoperative pain
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Strong, stable long-term results
Recovery and Return to Activity
Recovery is highly structured and includes phases of physical therapy to rebuild strength, mobility, and balance. Most patients return to:
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Daily activities: ~6 weeks
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Light exercise: ~3 months
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Running: ~4–5 months
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Sports: ~8–12 months, depending on progress
At T&P Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, we tailor each recovery plan to your sport, lifestyle, and personal goals. At the practice of Steven C. Thomas, MD and Donald W Pennington, DO, our board-certified surgeons specialize in orthopedic procedures in the Las Vegas area.
If you have experienced a knee injury or suspect an ACL tear, our orthopedic specialists can provide a customized treatment plan to help you return to activity safely and confidently.
Contact Surgeons Dr. Thomas and Dr. Pennington at the Knee and Shoulder Institute in Las Vegas, NV to Schedule an Appointment:
If you would like to schedule an appointment or learn more about the Knee and Shoulder Institute procedures & treatments,contact the office today click here.
Serving patients from and around greater Las Vegas, Lake Havasu, Bullhead City, Mesquite, Pahrump, Nevada