Quality Care for ACL Injuries

Ligaments are strong, flexible connective tissue bands that connect bones with other bones to help your knee function. The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of four main ligaments of the knee. ACL injuries involve a tearing or overstretching of the ligament. Ligament tears can be either complete or partial. 

At Dignity Health in the Bay Area, our orthopedic specialists focus on easing your pain by addressing it at the source, so you can get back to enjoying life pain-free. We offer complete orthopedic care throughout the area, as well as physical therapy, rehabilitation, and sports medicine at our four Bay Area hospitals — Memorial HospitalSaint Francis and St. Mary’s Medical Center in San Francisco, Sequoia Hospital in Redwood City, and Dominican Hospital in Santa Cruz. 

To receive personal care for ACL injuries in the Bay Area, Find a Doctor today.

ACL Tear Symptoms

ACL injuries cause immediate symptoms that may include:

  • A popping sound when the injury occurs
  • Instability in the knee
  • Limited range of motion
  • Pain in the knee
  • Swelling, sometimes occurring a few hours after the injury

Causes of ACL Injuries

ACL injuries are most often the result of sports or other physical activities that put pressure on the knee. Movements that can cause this type of knee injury include: 

  • Changing direction very suddenly
  • Landing badly from a jump
  • Pivoting your body while your foot is planted
  • Receiving a direct hit to the knee
  • Stopping suddenly

Expert Treatment of ACL Injuries at Dignity Health

ACL injuries are first treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). An over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, may also help reduce pain and swelling.

After the initial pain and swelling decrease, see a doctor at one of Dignity Health's Bay Area hospitals. Our treatment plans most often begin with a knee brace for support and physical therapy. In some cases, your doctor may recommend surgery to repair the ACL injury. This surgery can be done arthroscopically at one of our hospitals or surgical centers.

During this minimally invasive procedure, the surgeon inserts a scope through a very small incision. This scope allows your surgeon to replace the damaged portion of the ACL with a healthy piece of tendon (either from another part of your leg or from a tissue bank) without an open incision. 

Throughout the Bay Area, Dignity Health is dedicated to treating your ACL injury with the most advanced and minimally invasive procedures available. Our personalized treatment plans are designed to decrease your pain and increase your mobility, so you can get back to what matters in your life. Call (844) 387-6324 for a doctor referral today.

Dignity Health offers personal care for ACL injuries in San Francisco, Santa Cruz, and Redwood City.