ACL Reconstruction
ACL Reconstruction Surgeon
Sports that involve twisting or overextending of the knee can cause ACL injuries due to sudden directional change, landing incorrectly from a jump or direct blow to the side of the knee. ACL reconstruction surgeon, Dr. Kelechi Okoroha provides diagnosis and minimally-invasive ACL reconstruction surgery in Minneapolis. He also provides highly specialized care during and after the surgery. Contact Dr. Okoroha’s team for an appointment today!
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) 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 to the tibia. When this ligament tears, unfortunately, it does not heal on its own, and often leads to the feeling of instability in the knee.
Causes of an ACL Injury
An ACL injury most commonly occurs during sports that involve twisting or overextending of your knee. An ACL can be injured in several ways:
- Sudden directional change
- Slowing down while running
- Landing incorrectly from a jump
- Direct blow to the side of your knee, such as during a football tackle
When an ACL injury is suspected, it is important to schedule an orthopedic consultation for proper examination and care. Dr. Kelechi Okoroha is an ACL reconstruction surgeon who provides detailed examination and care for patients with ACL injury in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Minnesota and beyond.
Symptoms of ACL Injury
When you injure your ACL, you might hear a loud "pop" sound and may feel the knee buckle. Within a few hours after an ACL injury, your knee may swell due to bleeding from vessels within the torn ligament. You may notice that the knee feels unstable or seems to give way, especially when trying to change direction on the knee.
Diagnosis of an ACL Injury
An ACL injury can be diagnosed with a thorough physical examination of the knee and diagnostic tests such as X-rays, MRI scans and arthroscopy. X-rays may be needed to rule out any fractures. In addition, Dr. Okoroha will often perform the Lachman’s test to check if the ACL is intact. During a Lachman test, the knee with a torn ACL may show increased forward movement of the tibia, and a soft or mushy endpoint compared to a healthy knee.
Pivot shift test is another test to assess ACL tears. During this test, if the ACL is torn, the tibia will move forward when the knee is completely straight and as the knee bends past 30° the tibia shifts back into the correct place in relation to the femur.
What is an ACL Reconstruction?
ACL reconstruction is a commonly performed surgical procedure. With recent advances in arthroscopic surgery, it can now be performed with minimal incision and low complication rates.
The advancements in arthroscopic surgery make it easy for surgeons to view and work on knee structures through small incisions. The repair of the torn ligament can be performed at the same time as the diagnostic arthroscopy with fewer surgical risks.
The surgery can usually be performed as an outpatient procedure, which means you may be discharged to go home on the same day as the procedure.
Dr. Okoroha has extensive training in ACL reconstruction and provides this service for patients in Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Minnesota and beyond.
If you would like to have additional information on treatments of ACL injury or would like to learn more about ACL reconstruction, please contact the office of Dr. Okoroha, ACL reconstruction surgeon serving the communities of Minneapolis, St. Paul, Rochester, Eden Prairie, Minnetonka, Minnesota and beyond.
