ACL Specialist

ACL services offered in Union City and Dyersburg, TN

An injury to the ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, in your knee most often occurs during sudden stops and changes in direction — usually when playing sports. You’ll feel pain and lose stability in your knee joint. Michael Calfee, MD, and Paxton Sisson, PA-C, of Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine in Union City and Dyersburg, Tennessee, provide on-site diagnosis and treatment of this and other knee injuries. The team helps you get back to your sport and daily life. Call the nearest office or use this website to book an appointment online if you suspect you have an ACL injury.

ACL Q&A

What is the ACL?

You have four ligaments that connect the bones of your knee together. Ligaments are strong bands of connective tissue that connect one bone to another.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) attaches the back of your thigh bone (femur) to the front of your shin bone (tibia). This ligament prevents hyperextension of the knee. It’s also essential to provide stability when you twist the joint.

What injuries affect the ACL?

The ACL is prone to tearing, especially in those who play sports. The injury happens to athletes who play contact sports or sports that equire quick pivots, like soccer, downhill skiing, and basketball. Men and women both experience ACL tears, but women are at a higher risk of the injury.

When should I suspect an ACL injury?

Usually, an ACL tear occurs when you plant your foot and twist around to change direction. It also occurs when you slow down and change direction suddenly. You can also experience an ACL injury after a tackle, hard landing after a jump, or stopping suddenly. You may hear a popping sound at the point of injury.

When you tear your ACL, you may injure other parts of your knee simultaneously, including other ligaments or the meniscus, a c-shaped pad of cartilage that acts as a shock absorber.

An ACL injury causes pain and other symptoms, including:

Loss of the knee’s full range of motion
Feeling of instability in the joint
Tenderness along the line of the joint
Discomfort or pain when walking

You’re also likely to experience serious swelling in the 24 hours after the injury.

How are ACL injuries treated?

ACL injuries may be treated conservatively with bracing and physical therapy. If you are a patient that is a competitive athlete or who leads an active lifestyle, you may require a surgical ACL reconstruction to get back to your sport.

The Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine team determines the best course of treatment and repair strategy for your ACL, so you get the best results.

Get prompt and compassionate care for ACL injuries at Advanced Orthopedics & Sports Medicine. Call today to set up an appointment or use this website to book online.

Services we provide

Osteoarthritis Management

Worker's Compensation

Musculoskeletal Injuries

Ankle Pain

Hand/Wrist Pain