Causes and Treatments for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears
Image: orthoinfo.aaos.org

Orthopaedic surgeon Dr. Aaron Tragos most recently served at Munson Orthopaedic Clinic in Fort Leavenworth, Kansas. Over the course of his six years in this role, Dr. Aaron Tragos treated a number of anterior cruciate ligament tears.

The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, connects the femur of the thigh to the tibia in the lower leg. It serves a crucial role in knee stability, but is subject to tears resulting from force or stress. Most such tears occur during an intense physical action that forces the two bones apart. This often occurs during a sudden stop, abrupt change of direction, or improper landing from a jump.

When the ACL tears, the patient may notice an audible popping sensation and the onset of severe pain, which prevents the person from continuing the activity. Recommended first aid for individuals who notice these symptoms includes rest, elevation, and gentle compression to reduce swelling.

If the tear is incomplete, the patient may be able to recover by participating in a targeted rehabilitation program. Complete tears, however, typically require reconstruction surgery. This most often involves the harvesting of a graft that replaces the torn ligament, and it is over this graft that new tissue grows to strengthen the site.

The 2017 AOAO Annual Meeting

American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics
Image: aoao.org

Dr. Aaron Tragos possesses more than two decades of experience as a physician working in orthopedics and sports medicine. In order to network with other professionals and stay up to date on the latest trends and techniques in the field, Dr. Aaron Tragos maintains membership in the American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics.

The American Osteopathic Academy of Orthopedics (AOAO) will hold its annual meeting this October in Chicago, Illinois, where attendees will be provided with three days packed full of lectures. These sessions will include expert panels, Q&A opportunities, and analysis of specific cases through group discussions. The opening night of the meeting will also feature the organization’s Annual Awards Ceremony.

In advance of the meeting, the Academy has opened up submission of abstracts for potential presentation at the conference. The deadline for submission is June 1, 2017. Upon receipt, the organization’s Residents and Fellows Committee will carefully consider each abstract and inform applicants whether or not they have been accepted by June 30, 2017. To learn more about the conference, or to register, visit www.aoao.org/meetings/annual.