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ACL Injuries

ACL Injuries services offered in Sunnyvale and Kaufman, TX

A healthy anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) helps stabilize your knee joint, and the experts at Dallas Orthopedic and Shoulder Institute help prevent and treat ACL injuries. Reed Bartz, MD, swiftly detects signs of ACL injury to provide high-quality care at the office in Sunnyvale, Texas. Learn more and schedule an appointment by calling today or booking through the online reservation system.

What are ACL injuries?

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a tear or sprain of this strong, connective tissue that supports knee and leg stability. ACL injuries commonly occur during periods of intense exercise, such as sports, weightlifting, and cardiovascular activities. 

What are the signs of an ACL injury?

It’s hard to miss signs of ACL injuries due to their severity, which may include: 

  • A popping noise around the knee
  • Severe pain
  • Inability to perform daily activities
  • Intense swelling
  • Loss of motion in the affected knee
  • Inability to bear weight or pressure 

Any of these symptoms require immediate medical attention. Call the Dallas Orthopedic and Shoulder Institute office directly to ensure prompt diagnosis and treatment. Delaying care increases risks of additional, potentially permanent damage.

What causes ACL injuries?

ACL injuries frequently occur during athletic activities. This is because sports involve many sudden movements that use the ACL, such as:

  • Quickly changing directions
  • Stopping suddenly
  • Frequent jumping
  • Direct contact with other people

Additionally, research shows that women athletes possess a higher risk for ACL injuries due to slight structural differences in total body composition. You can prevent ACL injuries by becoming familiar with these common movements and conditioning muscles properly.

How are ACL injuries diagnosed?

When you arrive at the Sunnyvale, Texas, office for treatment, Dr. Bartz performs a comprehensive physical exam to check for signs of ACL injuries. The team may also perform additional diagnostic procedures, such as X-rays, MRIs, and ultrasounds. These tools help check both soft and hard tissues commonly affected by common ligament injuries. 

What are common treatments for ACL injuries?

Once the office confirms the diagnosis, Dr. Bartz administers rehabilitative therapy to promote recovery. This includes several weeks of physical therapy that increases the function of the ACL over time. Additionally, your provider will fit you with a brace to help support your knee. 

Surgery can help restore ACL function in severe cases or in circumstances where an athlete wants to continue playing a sport. ACL reconstruction surgery replaces the damaged ligament with a tendon from another area of your body or from a donor. Postoperation, Dr. Bartz develops a rehabilitative therapy plan to further restore function and stability. 

Call the office in Sunnyvale, Texas, to schedule an appointment today. Scheduling through the secure, online portal is an alternative way to book an appointment.

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