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ACL Tear Specialist

William Schell, MD Our Services ACL Tear
William Schell, MD - - Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon

William Schell, MD

Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon & Sports Medicine/Arthroscopy located in Upper West Side, Columbus Circle, New York, NY

If you’ve torn your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), the pain and instability may be too much to bear. To resume normal day-to-day activities and regular workouts, ACL surgery is often required. Experienced board-certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. William Schell, MD, repairs ACL damage and other orthopedic injuries to restore the knee and give you the quality of life you deserve. Call his New York City office to learn more, or book an appointment online today.

ACL Tear Q & A

What is an ACL tear?

Your ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is one of four major ligaments in your knee. It connects your femur to your tibia bone. ACL tears commonly happen while playing sports. You might injure your ACL playing basketball, football, or soccer, for example. When you tear the ACL, you may experience:

  • A popping sound during the tear
  • Swelling
  • Pain
  • Knee instability
  • Inability to bear weight on your knee
  • Loss of range of motion

If you experience an ACL injury, avoid putting weight on your knee and book an appointment with Dr. Schell right away.

How are ACL tears diagnosed?

To find out if you have an ACL tear, Dr. Schell examines your knee. He’ll complete imaging tests, such as an MRI or ultrasound, to make a final diagnosis. He may take X-rays to rule out bone injuries within the knee. Once Dr. Schell diagnoses an ACL tear, he’ll go over treatment options with you.

What is the treatment for an ACL tear?

Often the treatment for an ACL tear is surgical repair, but it depends on the severity of the tear and what you’re most comfortable with. Initially after your injury, he’ll recommend you:

  • Rest
  • Avoid putting weight on your knee
  • Ice the affected area
  • Wear a compression wrap or elastic bandage around your knee
  • Elevate your knee
  • Complete physical therapy if you opt out of surgery

Dr. Schell may suggest ACL repair if you’re an athlete, lead an active lifestyle, have severe ACL damage, or have more than one injury within the knee joint.

During ACL reconstruction surgery, you’re placed under general anesthesia. Dr. Schell:

  • Makes incisions in your knee
  • Removes the damaged ligament
  • Replaces the torn ligament with a tendon from another part of your body (or from a donor)
  • Uses an arthroscope (a small tube-shaped instrument with a camera) to ensure clear views during the procedure

After surgery, you’ll complete rehabilitation therapy to restore normal knee function and stability. You’ll avoid competitive sports for five or six months, but should regain full knee function within six to 12 months after surgery.

When you’re ready for your knee to function at its best, call Dr. Schell’s office or book an appointment online.

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