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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Shoulder Arthroscopy

Camera-guided surgery through small incisions to diagnose and treat shoulder problems: impingement, bone spurs, loose bodies, biceps tendon issues and more.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

ACL Reconstruction

Rebuilding a torn anterior cruciate ligament with a tendon graft, arthroscopically, to restore a stable knee for pivoting sports and active life.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Meniscus Repair

Arthroscopic stitching of a torn meniscus back together when the tear can heal, or trimming the torn piece when it cannot.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Knee Arthroscopy

Camera-guided knee surgery through small incisions for meniscus tears, loose bodies, cartilage flaps and kneecap problems.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Cartilage Restoration

Procedures that repair or regrow damaged articular cartilage in the knee, from cell-based restoration to cartilage autograft and allograft transplantation, for focal defects.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Biologic Treatments

Injections of platelet-rich plasma and related preparations from your own blood or tissue to support healing of tendons and joints, as an alternative or complement to surgery.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Regenerative Medicine

Evidence-first evaluation of stem cell-based and other biologic treatments for tendon, ligament, cartilage and joint conditions, with honest guidance on what the research supports.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

MCL Reconstruction

Repair or reconstruction of the medial collateral ligament on the inner side of the knee for severe tears, persistent instability and combined ligament injuries.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

MPFL Reconstruction

Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament with a tendon graft to stop recurrent kneecap dislocations and restore patellar stability.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Quad and Patellar Tendon Repair

Surgical reattachment of a torn quadriceps or patellar tendon to the kneecap so the knee can straighten and bear weight again.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Knee Osteotomy

Realignment surgery through the tibia or femur, or repositioning of the tibial tubercle, to unload damaged cartilage, correct kneecap tracking and preserve the natural knee.

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Shoulder and Sports Medicine

Multi-Ligament Knee Reconstruction

Repair or reconstruction of two or more torn knee ligaments, including the ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL and posterolateral corner, after high-energy injuries and knee dislocations.

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What it is

ACL Reconstruction

The ACL keeps the shin bone from sliding forward and rotating under the thigh.

Once fully torn it does not heal. Reconstruction replaces it with a graft, most often from your own patellar tendon, hamstring or quadriceps tendon.The graft is placed arthroscopically through tunnels drilled in the exact position of the original ligament and fixed until it heals into bone.

Performed 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

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ACL Reconstruction

Who It Helps

ACL reconstruction helps patients with knee instability after an anterior cruciate ligament tear, especially those returning to pivoting sports or physically demanding work. Treatment is individualized to the degree of instability, associated injuries, activity level and personal goals.Graft options: reconstruction uses either your own tissue (autograft) or donor tissue (allograft). Allograft suits some older or lower-demand patients and offers an easier recovery. Younger, more active patients usually do better with autograft from the patellar, quadriceps or hamstring tendon. Graft choice is individualized to age, activity, sport, anatomy and goals.

ACL Reconstruction

What to Expect

ACL reconstruction is generally performed arthroscopically as outpatient surgery under general anesthesia with a nerve block.Your surgeon replaces the torn ligament with a tendon graft and treats meniscus or cartilage injuries found at the same time.A brace or crutches may be recommended depending on the procedures performed. Ridgeline sports medicine surgeons perform ACL reconstruction at hospitals and surgery centers throughout Utah County.Ski season fills our ACL schedule from January through March; local high school, BYU and UVU athletes follow the same testing-based return program. Dr. Christensen, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Wallentine and Dr. Carlson operate at Utah Valley Hospital and Spanish Fork Hospital.

ACL Reconstruction

Recovery Timeline

Rehabilitation focuses first on swelling control, restoring full extension and knee motion, and regaining quadriceps control.Strengthening, balance, running and sport-specific training progress according to healing, symptoms and functional testing. Return to pivoting sports is measured in months, with clearance individualized, often at nine to twelve months or later.

Our surgeons follow a structured, evidence-based rehabilitation program that emphasizes strength, stability and functional testing to guide a safe return to sports and activities. Physical therapy starts within the first week.

Milestones

Week 1Therapy starts, crutches

Week 2 to 4Walking without crutches

Month 3Straight-line jogging

Month 9 to 12Cleared by testing

ACL Reconstruction

Risks and Considerations

Successful ACL reconstruction requires more than surgery alone.Dedicated physical therapy and a structured rehabilitation program are essential to restoring motion, strength and stability while minimizing the risk of postoperative stiffness, kneecap pain and future injury.We work closely with numerous physical therapy offices throughout Utah County to guide each recovery and ensure a safe, progressive return to activity. Although uncommon, complications such as infection and blood clots can occur, and we take precautions before, during and after surgery to minimize them.Patients with ACL injuries also carry an increased long-term risk of arthritis, which makes proper rehabilitation and ongoing knee health especially important.

ACL Reconstruction

Your Surgeons

Dr. Christensen, Dr. Taylor, Dr. Wallentine and Dr. Carlson perform this procedure at Surgery Partners Provo, Spanish Fork Hospital, Central Utah Surgical Center, Timpanogos Regional Hospital, Mountain View Hospital and Intermountain Health Surgery Center Saratoga Springs.

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.

ACL Reconstruction

Related Procedures and Conditions

Meniscus Repair

Multi-Ligament Knee Reconstruction

Knee Arthroscopy

Torn ACL

Torn Meniscus

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or call801-640-0000

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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.

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Provo1055 N 300 W, Ste 104

Orem700 W 800 N, Ste 330

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