ACL Tear

Christopher Potts, M.D.

Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist located in Midtown, Atlanta, GA & Alpharetta, GA

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear can happen to anyone, though it’s especially common if you play soccer, basketball, football, or participate in gymnastics. For all types of ACL injuries and tears, see orthopedic surgeon, Christopher Potts, MD, in Atlanta or Alpharetta, Georgia, for treatment. As an experienced surgeon and thoughtful provider, Dr. Potts offers comprehensive and personalized care to help you heal after an ACL injury or tear. To schedule a consultation, call the office and speak with a friendly team member or book online today.

ACL Tear Q & A

What are the signs of an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear?

An ACL tear is a common injury that occurs in the knee during movements with fast starts and stops or twisting of the knee. The ACL is located between the bones of your thigh and shin and is responsible for stability and rotation in your knee.

If the ligament is torn, you can experience:

Swelling of your knee
Bruising in and around your knee
Inability to bear weight on your knee
Difficulty bending your knee
Feeling like your knee may give out or buckle underneath you

There are two general types of ligament tears: partial tears and full tears. A partial tear means that only a portion of the ligament is torn while a full tear is a tear that extends through the entire ligament and breaks it in two.

Depending on the type of tear, your symptoms can be milder or more severe. For severe cases of ACL tears, the symptoms are obvious with significant swelling, bruising, and stiffness immediately. Partial tears may cause general discomfort in the knee, along with milder symptoms like those mentioned above.

How are ACL tears diagnosed?

Dr. Potts performs a thorough orthopedic exam of your knee to determine your diagnosis. The exam includes testing to evaluate your range of motion, muscle strength, and nerve function.

Dr. Potts applies pressure to your knee and puts your knee in different positions to assess the structural integrity of the ligaments in and around your knee.

For a definitive diagnosis, Dr. Potts may refer you for an MRI, which helps to visualize your ACL and determine the location and severity of the tear. The MRI can show whether you have a partial or full tear, which determines your treatment options.

How do orthopedic surgeons repair ACL tears?

Dr. Potts provides appropriate treatment for all ACL injuries so you can recover and get back to your favorite activities as quickly as possible. For minor injuries or partial tears that don’t require surgery, Dr. Potts recommends conservative methods like:

Physical therapy
Bracing
Ice
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
Injections, like platelet-rich plasma or stem cells

For full tears or those injuries that don’t recover with conservative methods, Dr. Potts performs minimally invasive arthroscopic surgeries to repair the damaged ligament.

Schedule a knee exam with Dr. Potts now by calling the office or booking an appointment online.