At Dines Orthopedics, we specialize in all sports-related injuries, mostly associated with the elbow, shoulder, and knee. As Spring weather is approaching, we tend to see an increase in sports-related injuries due to the increase in outdoor activities. One of the most inconvenient injuries an athlete can sustain is an ACL tear, which, fortunately, we at Dines Orthopedics have the most professional expertise in treating. If you have recently sustained this particular injury and are looking for ACL tear treatment on the upper east side, NYC, please look no further than our facility.
Treatment options for ACL Injury
If you feel like you have recently sustained an ACL tear, please reach out to book an appointment immediately. The ACL is one of the four ligaments in the knee, so one’s ACL must be functioning properly. Once you have made your appointment, the doctor will assess what the proper call to action should be based on the condition of your knee. We will use X – rays to determine if the bone is fractured or not. It should be noted that X – rays do not pick up any soft tissue.
That’s why we also use MRIs or magnetic resonance imaging to zoom in on the softer tissue to determine if there are any impairments. This will show the specifics of your condition, as all ACL tears are different and require specific treatment based on how severe it is. We also use ultrasound.
Before determining what the appropriate treatment is for your condition, the doctor will need to know the following information: How recent the injury was, what activity specifically led to the injury, was there a loud popping sound following the impact of the injury, has the knee had any serious injuries before, have the symptoms been persistent or on and off, is the pain and discomfort stemming from a particular movement, and does it feel like the knee is weak and unable to support your weight.
Not every ACL tear requires surgery for recovery. There is the at-home “RICE” regiment that can suffice (RICE abbreviated for rest, ice, compression, and escalation, respectively.) If your injury is more severe than it requires further medical attention, our ACL tear treatment on the upper east side, NYC, will start you off on a rehabilitation program.
Rehabilitation
Our rehabilitation programs are roughly several weeks and consist of a physical therapist going over exercises with you that can either be done with our supervision or at home. If necessary, we will provide a brace or whatever orthopedic equipment available to physically keep your knee in check while you walk on crutches for a while to keep the pressure off.
The main objective of rehabilitation is to make the swelling decline and restore the main basic mobility of your knee. If you are not an athlete, then rehabilitation is certainly recommended. Suppose you are, in fact, an athlete and sustained said injury in a sports-related accident and wish to continue participating in the same sport. In that case, it’s highly recommended that you undergo surgery.
ACL Tear Surgery
Suppose the sport and/or activity that caused the injury requires significant agility and pressure to the knees. In that case, it’s highly recommended you get surgery if you wish to continue playing that sport. The surgeon will replace the torn ligament with a segment of the tendon usually donated by a deceased donor to connect the muscles back to the bone. This procedure is what’s known as a graft.
Once the surgery is complete, we will go for another round of physical therapy, so the new tendon has a chance to physically adjust and work itself in. This surgery, paired with this rehabilitation, will certainly lead to a healthy recovery. However, when you can successfully return to the activity that caused the injury to begin with depends entirely on how long your recovery is. The faster you return to the activity, the more likely you are to damage it even further. A healthy wait time before returning to the activity is highly recommended.
Contact Us For ACL Tear Treatment on the Upper East Side, NYC
Our ACL tear treatment on the upper east side, NYC, has years of experience dealing with these ailments. For more information, please visit our website or give us a call at 516 – 482 – 1037.