ACL Reconstruction
ACL Reconstruction in Colorado Springs, CO
If a torn ACL is causing knee instability, pain, or preventing you from returning to sports and daily activities, ACL reconstruction may help restore strength, stability, and function to your knee. At Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group (CSOG), our orthopedic sports medicine specialists provide advanced ACL reconstruction surgery and comprehensive rehabilitation programs for athletes and active individuals throughout Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado. Using state-of-the-art arthroscopic techniques and individualized treatment plans, we help patients recover safely and confidently return to the activities they enjoy.
Whether your ACL injury occurred during football, soccer, basketball, skiing, or another athletic activity, CSOG offers expert evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment focused on achieving the best possible outcome. Our team is dedicated to helping patients regain knee stability, improve mobility, and return to an active lifestyle.
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Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group
Your knees absorb significant stress with every step, making them particularly vulnerable to injury, overuse, and wear over time. Knee pain can interfere with walking, exercise, work, sports, and many of the activities you enjoy.
CSOG provides comprehensive evaluation and treatment for knee conditions affecting patients of all ages and activity levels. Our specialists treat sports injuries, ligament and meniscus problems, arthritis, fractures, and other conditions using both nonsurgical and surgical approaches.
Depending on your diagnosis, treatment may include physical therapy, medications, injections, bracing, minimally invasive procedures, or surgery. We take your symptoms, activity level, and goals into account when developing your treatment plan, with a focus on reducing pain and helping you regain strength, stability, and function.
What is ACL Reconstruction?
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a surgical procedure to replace a torn or damaged ACL ligament in your knee with a new ACL tissue graft obtained most commonly from your own body (autograft) or in rare cases from a deceased donor (allograft).
The most common autografts are the patellar tendon (tendon of the kneecap) or one of the hamstring tendons (tendons located at the back of the thigh). In some instances, the quadriceps tendon located above the kneecap is utilized. Tendons are cords of strong fibrous tissue that connect muscles to bones. Ligaments are tough bands of tissue that connect one bone to another bone.
ACL tears or injuries most often occur during sports activities that involve pivoting, cutting, and turning movements as in football, soccer, skiing, tennis, and basketball.
What is ACL?
The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the major stabilizing ligaments in the knee. It is a strong rope-like structure located in the center of the knee, running from the femur (thighbone) to the tibia (shinbone). The ACL is one of the four major ligaments of the knee that connects the femur to the tibia and helps stabilize your knee joint. It prevents excessive forward movement of the tibia in relation to the femur as well as limits rotational movements of the knee. When this ligament tears, unfortunately, it does not heal on its own and often leads to the feeling of instability in the knee, requiring reconstruction to correct the abnormality.
What are the Indications for ACL Reconstruction?
An ACL tear or injury is the main indication for ACL reconstruction surgery. An ACL injury is a sports-related injury that occurs when the knee is forcefully twisted or hyper-extended. An ACL tear usually occurs with an abrupt directional change with the foot fixed on the ground or when the deceleration force crosses the knee. Changing direction rapidly, stopping suddenly, slowing down suddenly while running, landing from a jump incorrectly, and direct contact or collision, such as a football tackle can also result in injury to the ACL.
What Does Procedure for ACL Reconstruction Involve?
ACL reconstruction surgery is usually performed under general anesthesia using a minimally invasive arthroscopic technique. In general, the procedure involves the following steps:
- Your surgeon will make two to three small cuts, about 1/4-inch-long, around your knee.
- An arthroscope is inserted into the knee joint through one of the incisions.
- An arthroscope is a thin tubular instrument with a camera, light, and a magnifying lens attached at the end that is connected to an external monitor and enables your surgeon to view the inside of the knee joint.
- Along with the arthroscope, a sterile solution is pumped into the joint to expand it, enabling your surgeon to have a clear view and space to work inside the joint.
- Miniature surgical instruments are passed through the other incisions and the torn ACL is removed and the pathway for the new ACL tendon graft is prepared.
- Your surgeon makes an incision over the knee or hamstring area and takes out a part of the patellar, hamstring, or quadriceps tendon to prepare the new ACL graft.
- Small holes are drilled into the upper and lower leg bones (femur and tibia) where these bones come together at the knee joint. The holes form tunnels in your bone to accept the new graft.
- The graft is pulled through the predrilled holes in the femur and tibia and fixed into the bones with screws or suture anchors.
- After confirming satisfactory reconstruction, the scope and the instruments are withdrawn, and the incisions are sutured and bandaged.
What Does Postoperative Care for ACL Reconsturction Involve?
In general, postoperative care instructions and recovery after ACL reconstruction surgery will involve the following:
- You will be transferred to the recovery area where your nurse will closely observe you for any allergic or anesthetic reactions and monitor your vital signs as you recover.
- You may notice pain, swelling, and discomfort in the knee area. Pain and anti-inflammatory medications are provided as needed to keep you comfortable.
- You are advised to keep your leg elevated while resting to prevent swelling and pain.
- You will be given assistive devices such as crutches with instructions on restricted weight-bearing for a specified period of time. You are encouraged to walk with assistance as frequently as possible to prevent blood clots.
- Instructions on surgical site care and bathing will be provided to keep the wound clean and dry.
- Refrain from strenuous activities for the first few months and lifting heavy weights for at least 6 months. A gradual increase in activities is recommended.
- An individualized physical therapy protocol will be designed to help strengthen the knee muscles and optimize knee function.
- You will be able to resume your normal daily activities in a couple of months, but with certain activity restrictions. Full recovery and return to sports usually take about 9 to 12 months.
- You may return to your work in about 6 weeks if your job is not too physically demanding. Those with physically demanding jobs will require a longer recovery period.
- A periodic follow-up appointment will be scheduled to monitor your progress.
What are the Risks and Complications of ACL Reconstruction?
ACL reconstruction surgery is a relatively safe procedure; however, as with any surgery, some risks and complications may occur, such as the following:
- Infection
- Bleeding
- Pain and weakness in the knee
- Adverse reactions to anesthesia
- Blood clot or deep vein thrombosis
- Damage to adjacent soft tissue structures
- Stiffness or decreased range of motion
- Re-rupture of the graft
- Non-healing of the ligament
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Why Choose Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group for ACL Reconstruction?
Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group is a trusted leader in sports medicine and orthopedic care throughout Southern Colorado. Our experienced orthopedic surgeons utilize advanced arthroscopic techniques, evidence-based treatment protocols, and personalized rehabilitation plans to help patients recover from ACL injuries and return to their desired level of activity.
Patients choose CSOG for ACL reconstruction because we offer:
- Fellowship-trained orthopedic and sports medicine specialists
- Advanced minimally invasive arthroscopic surgical techniques
- Comprehensive evaluation and diagnostic imaging
- Personalized treatment plans tailored to each patient's goals
- Expertise treating athletes and active individuals of all ages
- Integrated physical therapy and rehabilitation services
- Convenient Colorado Springs locations
- Comprehensive care from diagnosis through recovery
- A patient-centered approach focused on long-term knee health and performance
Our goal is not only to reconstruct the ACL but also to restore confidence, stability, strength, and functional movement for long-term success.
ACL Reconstruction FAQs
Schedule an ACL Reconstruction Consultation in Colorado Springs, CO
If knee instability, pain, or an ACL injury is keeping you from the sports and activities you love, the orthopedic sports medicine specialists at Colorado Springs Orthopaedic Group can help. We provide comprehensive ACL injury evaluation, advanced arthroscopic reconstruction techniques, and personalized rehabilitation plans designed to restore knee function and support a successful recovery.
Contact CSOG today to schedule an ACL reconstruction consultation at one of our convenient Colorado Springs locations. Our experienced orthopedic team proudly serves athletes, active individuals, and families throughout Colorado Springs and Southern Colorado with expert knee care focused on helping patients return to peak performance and active living.