ACL Specialist

Woodlands Center For Special Surgery

Hand Surgeon & Orthopaedic & Sports Medicine Specialists located in The Woodlands and Willis, TX

Within the United States, 1 in 3,000 people tear their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) yearly, with this injury being especially common amongst athletes. If you believe you have an ACL injury, surgeon Dr. Mark Ciaglia, DO, and orthopaedic and sports medicine surgeon Dr. William J. Jordan, MD, at the Woodlands Center for Special Surgery in The Woodlands and Willis, Texas, can help you regain your knees stability through nonsurgical or surgical techniques. For an evaluation, call the office or book your appointment online today.

ACL Q & A

What is the anterior cruciate ligament?

Your ACL is one of the knee’s four ligaments stabilizing your knee joint. Your ACL connects your tibia to your femur and is essential in preventing your tibia from moving too far forward in relation to your femur.

Most ACL injuries occur while playing sports involving jumping, changes in direction, or sudden stops. Some examples of such sports include soccer, tennis, football, or volleyball.

What are the reasons for ACL surgery?

When you injure your ACL, you may experience the following signs and symptoms:

Swelling
Decreased range of motion
Not being able to place any weight on your affected leg
Severe pain
A popping sensation in the knee

If you’re experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s crucial that you call the Woodlands Center for Special Surgery to make an appointment with Dr. Jordan or Dr. Ciaglia to schedule your consultation and determine the best course of treatment.

If surgery is needed, either another piece of your tissue will be used or tissue from a donor. This is called a graft, and it acts as your new ACL and replaces your torn ligament.

Dr. Jordan and Dr. Ciaglia use the latest technology to perform the minimally invasive surgery with use of an arthroscope. This use of an arthroscope ensures your doctor only needs to make tiny incisions, minimizing any scarring.

What can I expect after ACL surgery?

The procedure is relatively fast, with the surgery taking around one hour to complete. Most patients are able to leave the hospital on the same day as the operation. While side effects are rare, in some cases you may experience bleeding at the surgery site along with knee pain and weakness. These side effects should naturally subside as you recover from the surgery.

Dr. Jordan and Dr. Ciaglia recommend you stay off your leg for a few weeks and consistently use your crutches when walking to limit the pressure on your knee. Generally, most people looking to return to sports participation can do so in 8-12 months.

For state-of-the-art treatments from caring and skilled surgeons, call the Woodlands Center for Special Surgery today or schedule an appointment using the convenient online booking feature.