ACL Surgery

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery can restore you to full function if you have a painful and limiting ACL tear. At GoOrthopedic, with two offices in San Jose and Manteca, California, board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Kalle Stidham brings his highly refined and patient-focused approach to patients seeking a clear pathway back to their normal activities. To learn more about ACL surgery, call the nearest office or book an appointment online today. 

What is the ACL? 

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) crosses the middle of your knee diagonally, where it prevents your tibia (lower leg bone) from moving in front of your femur (thigh bone) and stabilizes the knee joint. 

An ACL injury can range from:

• Grade 1: A sprain without a tear
• Grade 2: A partial tear
• Grade 3: A complete tear

All complete ACL tears cause major structural damage and are symptomatic with knee instability. Partial tears may be symptomatic with knee instability.

Unfortunately, most ACL injuries are grade 3. If you have an ACL injury, you’ll most likely have both pain and significant knee instability, leading many people to ACL surgery.

What is ACL surgery? 

Every ACL injury is treated based on individual circumstances and preferences. If your condition is symptomatic with knee instability or combined with multi-ligament and meniscus injury, the best treatment choice often is AC reconstruction repair surgery.

ACL surgery restores altered knee biomechanics and maximizes your knee’s inherent potential. Depending on the AC tear pattern and athletic expectations, a graft is harnessed from your own body or a donor to fix the ACL. 

All advanced and modern-day ACL treatment options are available at GoOrthopedic.

How does the ACL surgery process work?

Your GoOrthopedic surgeon uses arthroscopy, a minimally invasive technique with tiny portals (incisions) less than half-an-inch long. After an exam to confirm your ACL tear, your surgeon prepares a tissue graft. 

ACL graft selection is made by the patient after discussing it with their provider at GoOrthopedic. Autograft option is harvested from one’s own tissue (typically bone patellar tendon bone (BTB) is the most durable). Other options include hamstring and quadricep grafts, which are selected in specific situations. Allograft options from a donor is a very good option for some patients.

Your surgeon inserts the arthroscope, which has a built-in camera and small surgical tools through the portals. Anatomic, performance-positioned bone tunnels are fashioned. ACL graft placed in tunnels are fixed with strong screws.

What happens after ACL surgery? 

GoOrthopedic works hand-in-hand with you to guide you through an individualized healing and

recovery protocol. Returning to sport activities is optimized for performance and durability for long-standing results.

GoOrthopedic provides exemplary ACL care attuned to your needs as an athlete or everyday folk looking to get back to your lifestyle. Call the office nearest you or book an appointment online today.

*Individual results may vary