ACL Tear
What is the ACL?
The ACL is one of the four ligaments that stabilize your knee. Your ligaments give your legs controlled forward and backward movement. The ACL stabilizes the tibia to prevent it from sliding too far forward when you run, jump, or walk.
What causes the ACL to tear?
ACL tears commonly happen in sports, falls, motor vehicle accidents, and other trauma to the knee. The movements that often result in an ACL tear include:
- Quick changes in direction and pivoting
- Stopping suddenly or slowing down abruptly while running
- Landing from a jump
- Direct contact, such as being tackled in a football game
What are the symptoms of an ACL tear?
When the injury occurs, you may hear a popping sound and the knee may collapse. Other symptoms include:
- Pain and swelling
- Tenderness and sensitivity along the joint line
- Discomfort while walking and feelings of instability while playing sports
- Compromised range of motion
How is an ACL tear treated?
Once an X-ray, MRI, or other diagnostic test confirms the ACL tear, our doctors develop a treatment plan that best addresses your needs. Their strategy depends on many factors, including the severity of your tear, your age, and your goals. The options for treatment include lifestyle counseling and surgery. Surgery is not always warranted, but when it is, it should occur in the first few weeks following the injury. Contact us to request an appointment for diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
We want you to have the knowledge you need to make informed decisions for your health. Learn more about our orthopedic healthcare services by reading through our Frequently Asked Questions.
Surgery depends on the severity of injury. Consult with one of our specialists to determine if it’s a route you should take. Your doctor will evaluate your entire injury through comprehensive testing before deciding if surgery is right for you.
Talk with your doctor to schedule a date that works best for you. Schedule flexibility depends on your availability, the severity of your injury and surgeon schedules.
We recommend taking it easy during your recovery time. Your doctor will provide you with a thorough post-operative care plan to ensure a speedy recovery.
Your recovery depends on where your injury is located. Consult with your doctor before starting. Our practitioners will let you know which times are best for your recovery.
Our goal is for you to return to your normal activities without pain or discomfort! Consult with your doctor about your recovery timeline and how soon you can return to work or sports.
Most insurance providers require a referral from your doctor before covering your care. We recommend scheduling an appointment your doctor before scheduling an appointment with us.
We accept several insurance programs from:
- Aetna
- Blue Cross Blue Shield
- Cigna
- FirstCare (Part of Baylor Scott & White Health)
- GEHA
- HealthNet
- HealthSmart
- Humana
- Medicare
- MetLife
- PHCS
- TeamChoice
- Most Worker’s Compensation plans
Consult with our office to ensure your coverage.
Providing top-quality orthopedic care across the Lubbock area.
Providing top-quality orthopedic care across the Lubbock area.
301 Utica Ave, Lubbock, TX 79416
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