What kind of symptoms would I have if I damaged the ACL?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Symptoms with a damaged ACL will be pain, swelling and a feeling of instability. Often times the knee can buckle underneath you and “give way.” If twisting, stopping, turning sports are attempted with a torn ACL, these buckling and “giving way” episodes will recur – a “trick knee.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of surgery would I have if I damaged the ACL?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....The damaged ACL cannot be sewn back together as it will not heal. A torn ACL will require a reconstructive procedure using transplantable tendons from your body (autografts) such as the hamstring, bone-patella-tendon-bone (BTB) or quadriceps tendons, to reconstruct this torn ligament. Allograft (tissue bank cadaver tissue) tissue is often used with less pain to you and earlier return to function. Both autograft and allograft tendons are acceptable to use for ACL reconstructions.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of symptoms would I have if I damaged the meniscus?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Symptoms of a damaged meniscus are pain and catching, clicking, or locking during certain twisting knee activities. These mechanical sensations are very commonly felt by the patient. The knee can also have swelling. Generally, meniscus tears do not heal because they have a poor blood supply. However, they can occasionally become asymptomatic.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of symptoms would I have if I damaged the patella?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Generally, this pain can go away and heal on it’s own. Body mechanics and control of the femur from above with your hip muscles are important. Stretching and strengthening the quadriceps and hamstring muscles are also important.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of symptoms would I have if I damaged these ligaments?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Symptoms include instability and “giving away.” Occasionally, you can feel the tibia slipping underneath the femur. The inside medial collateral ligament (MCL) can heal on its own and rarely requires surgery. Injury to the outside lateral collateral ligament (LCL) is different altogether. This usually requires surgery, but is a rare injury.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of symptoms would I have if I damaged the PCL?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Feelings of instability with certain motions about the knee can occur with a damaged PCL. Occasionally, with a long standing injury, the knee cap can be painful.
Related QuestionsWhat are the symptoms of ACL tear?
Frequently Asked QuestionsPatients with ACL insufficiency can walk in a straight line. But when they attempt to change the direction suddenly while walking or running they may feel the knee joint giving away. Additional symptoms like Pain and repeated joint swellings may be present due to additional injuries to meniscus and cartilage.
Related QuestionsWhat are the symptoms of an ACL injury?
Frequently Asked QuestionsA key feature of a serious ACL injury is a feeling of instability (i.e. that the knee may collapse from underneath you).
Related QuestionsWhat kind of surgery would I have if I damaged the meniscus?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Surgery for the common meniscus tear is an outpatient arthroscopic surgical procedure. A couple of portals (holes) are made in the knee so that an arthroscope and the trimming instrument(s) can be inserted. Often a motorized or radiofrequency (electro-thermal) device is used to help trim and contour the torn area of the meniscus to create a smooth surface.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of surgery would I have if I damaged the patella?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Surgery about the knee cap can be controversial with no exact reason when to operate or consensus about the type of procedure that should be done.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of surgery would I have if I damaged the PCL?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Surgery for the PCL involves either an autograft or an allograft reconstruction of the ligament. Either a bone-tendon-bone, hamstring autograft, an achilles tendon or bone-tendon-bone allograft is used to reconstruct the posterior cruciate ligament.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of symptoms would I have if I had adhesive capsulitis?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Patients with “frozen shoulder” have symptoms of pain and often times they cannot do simple everyday life activities such as combing their hair, reaching behind their back, or putting their hand in their back pocket, etc. Pain is usually increased with attempts to lift their hands overhead as this motion is limited. Generally studies show that “frozen shoulders” will “thaw” (tightness lessens), but this can take many months.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of symptoms would I have if I have instability?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Symptoms of instability are pain and weakness in the shoulder in certain arm positions. Often times, specific positions are avoided as you, the patient, know when the shoulder will come out of socket. This is often present when the arm is raised up behind the ear in the throwing position. Generally speaking, shoulders with instability do not get better on their own.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of symptoms would I have if I had a labrum tear?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Symptoms involve sensations of clicking and catching with certain motions in the shoulder. Often times they can become very painful. The labrum does not generally heal on its own. The mechanical symptoms can increase over time and can become painful.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of symptoms would I have if I had impingement?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Symptoms are simply pain when you lift your arm. It is really when the arm goes overhead that pinching of the bursa is encountered. It often times can get better with good shoulder mechanics, proper exercises, and anti-inflammatory medicines. Physical therapy and occasionally cortisone injections can help. Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can help reduce the “-itis” of this bursitis.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of symptoms would I have if I had calcific tendonitis?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Symptoms of calcific tendonitis can involve painful bursitis and painful forward flexion impingement. Simple movements when using the shoulder can cause pain.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of symptoms would I have if I have arthritis?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Symptoms of arthritis are stiffness, pain, and swelling of the joint. Morning stiffness is very common.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of symptoms would I have if I have bursitis?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....Bursitis is an inflammation of the bursal tissue about the knee. There are several different bursas about the knee that can become inflamed from either trauma or repetitive activities. Generally these can heal on their own. Initial icing followed by heat can help. Anti-inflammatory drugs can help decrease the pain. Steroid injections can be given to help decrease the inflammation.
Related QuestionsWhat are the signs and symptoms of a possible ACL tear?
Frequently Asked Questions: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL)...The famous "pop" is the most telling symptom of an ACL injury, although you may have a tear without ever experiencing the pop. The injury is usually followed by considerable pain and swelling within the first several hours. You may develop a feeling of instability in the knee or "giving way", making walking difficult.
Related QuestionsWhat is a torn ACL?
Phoenix Orthopedic Evaluation Arizona Treatment Consultation...The ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is a ligament in the center of your knee. The ACL gets damaged when twisted too far, which makes it a common injury in relation to sports or other physical activity. ACL Reconstruction is performed using a combination of open surgery and arthroscopic surgery. Before ACL reconstruction process begins, your surgeon will examine your knee arthroscopically, and repair any additional damage to the knee, such as a torn meniscus, or worn articular cartilage.
Related QuestionsWhat is an ACL tear?
FAQ Knee - Howard J Luks,MDThe ACL is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament. There are more than 4 major ligaments that essentially hold the knee together. Without one of more of these ligaments the knee would be loose and you would perceive that the knee was giving way or buckling. The ACL is the most commonly torn knee ligament. The ACL is usually torn as the result of a non-contact twisting injury. You will usually feel or hear a pop, the knee will buckle and within a short period of time, significant swelling will occur.
Related QuestionsSports Medicine, Therapy, Rehabilitation and Surgery- Mass G...The most common mechanism is a combination of a sudden stopping motion on the leg while quickly twisting at the knee. The planted foot remains stationary while the body rotates toward the opposite side of the body. This can happen in a sport such as basketball, when a player lands on the leg when coming down from a rebound or is running down the court and makes an abrupt stop to pivot. In football, soccer, or lacrosse, cleats prevent the foot from slipping during this motion.Related Questions
What kind of symptoms would I have if I had a rotator cuff tear?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....The main symptom is pain, especially pain that prevents you from sleeping or wakes you from sleeping at night. Other symptoms are general weakness and inability to use the shoulder, especially in the overhead position. Rotator cuff tears do not heal on their own. However, symptoms of pain can decrease and the function of the shoulder can improve with physical therapy such that surgery may not be necessary.
Related QuestionsWhat kind of symptoms would I have with AC joint problems?
Frequently Asked Questions -- C. Thomas Vangsness, Jr., M.D....A painful AC joint is usually caused by a stress or strain of the AC joint or arthritis in this joint. Occasionally, impingement and bursitis can mimic this pain. Lifting your arm across your body can increase this pain. This can heal on its own. However, if arthritis is involved the AC joint can continue to be painful in everyday activities.
Related QuestionsWhat is the ACL?
FAQ - What is the ACL ?There are two large ligaments inside your knee each about the size of your little finger that cross deep inside the joint. They are called the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) and PCL (posterior cruciate ligament) and go from the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone). They serve to stabilize the knee and allow it to glide through a smooth range of motion as you bend and straighten the leg. The ACL is the ligament in the front and the one most commonly injured.
Related QuestionsHow common is ACL injury and the surgery for ACL tears?
Frequently Asked QuestionsAnterior cruciate ligament is one of the commonest knee injuries in sports and day-to-day life. It is estimated that around 1,00,000 to 2,00,000 ACL injuries occur per year in United States and roughly around 70,000 ACL reconstructions are performed.
Related QuestionsFor what kind of symptoms is Bowtrol most appropriate?
IBS Relief Questions Irritable Bowel Syndrome TreatmentBowtrol was developed to aid IBS patients to regain bowel movement regularity and eliminate excessive feelings of urgency and diarrhea or constipation. Bowtrol consists of separate components that can be separately combined to address your own individual problems; If your IBS symptoms are mainly combined with constipation, then the recommended treatment is a combination of Lactospore Probiotic & Colon and Parasite Cleanser.
Related QuestionsWhat is a double-bundle ACL reconstruction?
Double Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament - What is a Double-...The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of four major ligaments in the knee that provide stability to the joint. When a patient sustains a tear to the ACL, a sensation of instability, or giving out, may develop in the injured knee. In order to restore stability to the knee, your doctor may recommend an ACL reconstruction to insert a new ligament in the place of the damaged ACL.
Related QuestionsWhat is an ACL "bundle"?
Double Bundle Anterior Cruciate Ligament - What is a Double-...The anterior cruciate ligament is made of a tough, fibrous tissue that spans the knee joint, attaching to the femur (thigh bone) on top, and the tibia (shin bone) below. The ligament itself is made of thousands of individual fibers, that together form the ACL. Some of these fibers are organized into distinct bundles. The normal ACL has two primary bundles of fibers. These bundles are positioned closely together, in some patients with normal ACLs it can be difficult to discern distinct bundles.
Related QuestionsWhat is an ACL and how are these injuries treated?
Frequently Asked Questions -- Advanced Centers for Orthopaed...ACL is an abbreviation for anterior cruciate ligament of the knee. The knee is the largest and most complex joint in the body. It depends on four ligaments and other muscles and tendons to function properly. There are two ligaments on the sides of the knee, the medial collateral ligament and the lateral collateral ligament and two cross ligaments in the center of the knee, the anterior cruciate ligament and the posterior cruciate ligament.
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