Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury

ACL Injury Care at UVM Health

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a tear in, or sprain of, one of the thick bands of tissue (ligaments) that connects your thighbone and shinbone. ACL injuries are very common in young athletes, skiers and active adults alike.

Most often, these injuries occur when you suddenly stop or quickly change direction, typically in activities like basketball, soccer or downhill skiing.

A runner stops to bend down and examine their knee during a run in the woods.

Why Choose UVM Health?

At University of Vermont Health, you have access to some of the nation’s top ACL injury experts. Your care is in the hands of experienced specialists, including physicians who volunteer with the U.S. Ski & Snowboard Team and Vermont Green FC. Our team of orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine physicians and physical therapists offers comprehensive ACL care, including the full range of surgical options.

As one of the leading orthopedic programs in the region, we offer:

Advanced imaging: Radiologists with fellowship training in musculoskeletal imaging use high-strength MRIs to evaluate ACL injuries. This technique allows us to obtain higher- quality images, which are crucial for accurate diagnoses and effective treatment plans.
Patient-centered approach: Your care team spends time with you to learn more about your concerns, goals and treatment preferences in order to create a personalized care plan. Our team prioritizes nonsurgical treatments — we recommend surgery only when it’s the most effective option.
Research emphasis: As part of a health system anchored by an academic medical center, our physicians are active researchers at the forefront of international research to reduce risk factors for ACL injuries and improve treatment. Our work has helped reduce ACL injuries in ski patrollers and instructors across 20 ski resorts in the country.

Symptoms of an ACL Injury

People often report hearing or feeling a sudden “pop” in their knee when they experience an ACL injury. This pop is usually accompanied by sudden, severe pain that prevents you from continuing any activity. You may also experience:

Immediate loss of range of motion
Instability when trying to bear weight on your knee
Rapid knee swelling

Diagnosing ACL Injuries

When diagnosing ACL injuries, your specialist will physically examine your knee. They’ll ask about your symptoms, including when they started, how they’ve progressed and what, if anything, relieves them.

They may also use imaging to get a detailed look at your bones and soft tissues. You’ll likely have an MRI, which uses magnets and radio waves to get a close look at your soft tissues.

ACL Injury Treatment

Your treatment plan for an ACL injury depends on the severity of the damage. ACL sprains may heal with nonsurgical care and rehabilitation. Full ACL tears may require surgery to repair or replace the ligament. Your treatment may include:

Physical Therapy for ACL Injuries

A physical therapist can teach you exercises that help restore your range of motion and strengthen your knee. You may participate in physical therapy as part of a nonsurgical treatment plan, or to help increase your stability and strength after ACL repair or reconstruction surgery.

Bracing for ACL Injuries

Wearing a knee brace or sleeve helps relieve pressure and strain on your knee joint. A combination of bracing and physical therapy may treat less severe ACL injuries.

ACL Surgery

Your doctor may recommend surgery if you have a severe or complex injury, such as an ACL tear along with cartilage damage. Surgery may also be the best treatment option if you’re an athlete and want to get back to playing your sport.

Most often, your surgeon performs an ACL reconstruction, where they use a piece of tissue (graft) to replace your ACL. Our surgeons use all available types of grafts, choosing the approach that best meets your needs. In some cases, your surgeon may recommend a bridge-enhanced ACL repair (BEAR), a technique to repair your ACL instead of replacing it. Your surgeon will discuss all surgical options and make recommendations based on your needs and goals.