ACL

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction

  • Injuries to the ACL result in instability, buckling and, over time, progressive cartilage damage, especially in active patients participating in contact sports. Patients under 35 years old usually benefit from reconstruction using autograft tissue (from their own body) using grafts from the quadriceps, patellar or hamstring tendons. Patients over age 35 often benefit from reconstruction using allografts (from a cadaver.) Every patient is unique so we carefully weigh advantages and disadvantages based upon occupational and sports demands.
PCL

Posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) reconstruction

  • Injuries to the PCL can result in instability or present with pain and progressive cartilage breakdown. Many PCL injuries can be treated non-surgically with physical therapy and bracing. For PCL injuries requiring surgery allografts are often selected to reconstruct the damaged ligament.
MPFL

Medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction

  • Patellar dislocations may result in cartilage injury and recurrent instability episodes. Depending upon the frequency of instability episodes and the nature of cartilage damage, MPFL reconstruction (using allograft) restores stability to the patellofemoral joint preventing further damage.