Arthroscopic Ligament Reconstruction

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Tears
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four primary ligaments in the knee, and despite being the smallest of the four, it serves the most important role: it allows the knee to rotate. When the ACL is injured, full bend or extension of the knee becomes difficult. A torn ACL can cause the knee to give out at any moment both on and off the field without warning.

• Sudden changes in direction
• Rapid deceleration
• Incorrect jumping and landing techniques
• Blunt force applied to the front or back of the knee

There are an estimated 100,000 to 200,000 ACL ruptures each year, with the highest numbers occurring among football and soccer players. Females between the ages of 15-19 years old are actually more susceptible to ACL injuries compared to their male counterparts.

Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) Tears
The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), similar to the ACL, connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. While the PCL is larger and stronger than the ACL, it can still tear. The PCL is most likely to be sprained or torn by a sudden blow to the front of the knee while it is bent. When the PCL is injured, athletes will experience knee instability. This will make walking and bearing weight on the knee difficult. If left untreated, a PCL tear can lead to osteoarthritis.

Collateral Ligament Injuries
The collateral ligaments are thick, fibrous bands located on the sides of the knee joint. Both the medial collateral ligament (MCL), which is located on the inner side of the knee, as well as the lateral collateral ligament (LCL), which is found on the outside of the knee, hold bones together and control how the knee moves. The MCL is more likely to be damaged by an impact from the outside of the knee, pushing it inward; whereas the LCL is at greater risk of injury by an impact of the inside of the knee, pushing it outwards.

Dislocation
A dislocation occurs when the bones of the knee the thigh bone, shin bone, tibia, and kneecap are forced partially or completely out of alignment. While some dislocations are caused by abnormal knee structures, the most prevalent causes are sports-related contact and falls.

Rotator Cuff Tears
Sports that involve repetitive overhead movements—such as baseball, tennis, or basketball—can cause the muscles in the shoulder to fray over time and eventually tear. Rotator cuff tears can also occur suddenly due to blunt trauma. In either case, athletes will experience shoulder pain, muscle weakness, and joint stiffness or tenderness.

Shoulder Impingement Syndrome
Shoulder impingement, which is sometimes called swimmer fs shoulder or thrower fs shoulder, is the result of inflammation due to chronic and repetitive movements. Specifically, inflammation occurs when connective tissue rubs on the shoulder blade. Considering its alternative names, it should come as no surprise that shoulder impingements are likely to occur in swimmers as well as track and field athletes.

Recurrent Dislocations
A sudden injury or overuse can cause the upper arm bone to be partially or fully forced out of the shoulder socket. In sports, a shoulder dislocation is often caused by contact or a fall.

Once a shoulder has been dislocated, the ligaments, tendons, and muscles around the joint can remain loose or torn, resulting in chronic shoulder instability. This also causes the shoulder to be more susceptible to further dislocations if not properly treated.