Torn ACL

Knee · Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Torn Meniscus

A tear in one of the two cartilage pads that cushion the knee, causing pain along the joint line, swelling, and catching or locking.

Wear of the cartilage that cushions the knee, causing pain with activity, stiffness after rest, swelling and, over years, deformity and loss of function.

Knee Osteoarthritis

Knee pain after fifty deserves a real plan before anyone mentions replacement. A conservative-first lane built by Dr. Hoopes for exactly this patient.

Knee Pain in Older Adults

Arthritis that develops years after a fracture, dislocation or ligament injury damaged the joint surface, often in a younger patient than typical osteoarthritis.

Post-Traumatic Arthritis

Rheumatoid, psoriatic and other autoimmune arthritis that attacks the joint lining and, over time, destroys the hip and knee joints. Managed with rheumatology; replaced when the joint fails.

Inflammatory Arthritis of the Hip and Knee

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

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Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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What it is

Torn ACL

The ACL runs through the center of the knee and stops the shin from sliding forward and rotating under the thigh.

When it tears, it does not heal, and the knee loses the stability it needs for cutting and pivoting.Half of ACL tears come with a meniscus or cartilage injury at the same time.

Treated by

Kevin Christensen, MD, Knee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. ChristensenKnee, Shoulder and Sports Medicine

J. Ryan Taylor, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. TaylorShoulder and Sports Medicine

Jeffrey Wallentine, MD, Joint Replacement surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. WallentineJoint Replacement

Michael Carlson, MD, Shoulder and Sports Medicine surgeon at Ridgeline Orthopedic Specialists

Dr. CarlsonShoulder and Sports Medicine

Multi-Ligament Knee Reconstruction

or call801-640-0000

Torn ACL

Symptoms

A pop at the moment of injury, swelling within hours, and difficulty bearing weight at first.Once the swelling settles, the knee feels unstable or gives way with pivoting, stairs or uneven ground.

Some patients walk normally in a straight line and only notice the problem when they return to sport.

Common signs

A pop at the moment of injury

Swelling within hours

Knee gives way with pivoting

Trouble trusting it on stairs

See us sooner if

Knee locked and will not straighten

Numbness or cold foot

Torn ACL

Causes

Most tears are non-contact: planting and cutting, landing from a jump, or a sudden stop.Skiing, basketball, soccer and football account for many. Direct blows to the knee cause the rest.Female athletes tear the ACL at several times the rate of males in the same sports.

Torn ACL

How We Diagnose It

The exam is often diagnostic once swelling allows it.X-rays rule out fracture. MRI confirms the tear and shows the meniscus, cartilage and other ligaments.We see acute knee injuries within days so the plan can start early.Ski season is ACL season in Utah Valley; we see acute knee injuries within days so the plan starts before the swelling settles. Dr. Christensen, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Wallentine and Dr. Carlson operate at Utah Valley Hospital and Spanish Fork Hospital.

Torn ACL

Treatment Options

Patients who want to return to pivoting sports, or whose knee gives way with daily life, are offered ACL reconstruction with a tendon graft. Repairable meniscus tears are fixed at the same time.Lower-demand patients may do well with rehabilitation and a brace. Either way, early motion and quadriceps strength come first.

Your options

Non-surgical

Rehabilitation

Brace for sport

Activity changes

Surgical

ACL reconstruction

Meniscus repair with it

ACL Reconstruction

Multi-Ligament Knee

Meniscus Repair

Torn ACL

Procedures That Address It

ACL Reconstruction

Meniscus Repair

Knee Arthroscopy

Torn ACL

Surgeons Who Treat It

Dr. Christensen, MD

Andrews Institute sports medicine fellowship under Dr. James Andrews. Board certified in orthopedic surgery and orthopedic sports medicine. Fluent in Spanish.

Dr. Taylor, MD

Dual fellowship trained in sports medicine and in shoulder and elbow surgery. Former Division I football player.

Dr. Wallentine, MD

Thirty-four years in practice. Mako robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement. Stanford sports medicine fellowship. BYU athletics team surgeon.

Dr. Carlson, MD

Arthroscopic surgery of the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip and ankle. Published sports medicine researcher. Fourteen years in practice.

or call801-640-0000

ContactTalk toa real person.

Two clinics, one number to call or text. Same-day appointments for acute injuries whenever we can. The front desk will match you with the right surgeon.

Call801-640-0000

TextSend a text

Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330