Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries can have a major impact on your athletic goals and quality of life, especially if you have a torn ACL that requires reconstruction. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon Marc Pietropaoli, MD, has more than 20 years of experience performing comprehensive ACL reconstructions. Based in Skaneateles, New York, Dr. Pietropaoli uses innovative techniques and novel approaches to rehab guided by his extensive experience in the field. To set up an in-person or telemedicine consultation, call or book online today.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the ligament that connects your femur (thigh bone) to your tibia (shin bone). It provides support and structural integrity to your knee joint, especially when performing rotating or pivoting maneuvers.
ACL injuries occur when your knee is twisted and the ligament is overstretched to the point of tearing. In most cases, the ACL tears completely and the likelihood of recovery is minimal without surgical reconstruction.
Sports that commonly cause ACL injuries include:
ACL injuries are significantly more common in women than men due to the influence of female hormones, anatomical differences and other factors that put them at a higher risk..
However, men should be aware of the risks, especially if they participate in sports that involve pivoting, quick rotational movements of the knee, or cutting maneuvers.
To diagnose an ACL injury, Dr. Pietropaoli and his team first perform a medical history and physical exam. While exams are performed in-person, consultations are available via telemedicine. He looks for common signs of ACL injuries, including:
Dr. Pietropaoli can order X-rays and/or an MRI of your knee, if appropriate, to confirm your diagnosis or rule out other possible causes of your symptoms. Based on your diagnosis and the severity of your injury, he recommends appropriate treatment with conservative and surgical therapies like:
Conservative therapies can be beneficial before and after surgery to aid in your recovery and help you have less pain and greater mobility sooner than you can with rest alone.
To reconstruct a torn ACL, Dr. Pietropaoli primarily uses a bone-patellar tendon-bone technique that uses your own tissues from the tendon and bone around your kneecap. He is also trained in utilizing quadriceps tendon, hamstring tendon and allograft tendons for graft sources. Once the graft is created, he anchors it in place with specialized surgical implants to reconstruct your ACL.
Dr. Pietropaoli often uses MLS laser, PRP injections and stem cell therapy during and after ACL reconstruction to support tissue healing and speed up your recovery process.
To schedule an in-person or telemedicine consultation for your ACL injury, call or book a consultation online now.
