ACL Surgeon
Are you an athlete who participates in sports that involve jumping or quick stopping? If so, you may be at risk of tearing your anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL. An ACL injury is one of the most common injuries suffered by athletes. ACL specialist and knee doctor, Dr. Benedict Nwachukwu provides diagnosis and both surgical and nonsurgical treatment options for patients in Booklyn, NY who have suffered an ACL injury. Contact Dr. Nwachukwu’s team today!
ACL Tear Specialist and Arthroscopic Knee Surgeon in Brooklyn, NY
An ACL tear is one of the most common knee injuries Dr. Benedict Nwachukwu diagnoses in his office, treating patients in Brooklyn, NY. Dr. Nwachukwu is a board-certified knee surgeon and has extensive training and experience treating ACL tears. Athletes involved in physically demanding sports such as basketball, Lacrosse, CrossFit, football and soccer are prone to injuring the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). This injury can occur when athletes stop quickly, change direction (cutting) or from landing incorrectly from a jump. ACL tears in individuals age 18 to 45 typically requires surgery to restore stability strength and mobility to the knee. Injured athletes can put their trust in Dr. Nwachukwu to help them return to the sport they love following a torn ACL.
What is an ACL Tear?
The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, runs diagonally in the front (called anterior) central portion inside the knee joint. The ACL is responsible for preventing the tibia (shin bone) from sliding out in front of the femur (thigh bone). The ACL also plays a critical role in stabilizing the knee during rotation. An ACL tear can occur when too much pressure is placed on the ligament. This often occurs from a sudden stop or slowing down while running. A quick change in direction while the foot is planted or landing incorrectly from a jump can over-tax the ACL and cause it to fray or tear. A hard blow to the knee, as seen in a football tackle can also cause the ACL to tear.
Do females in Brooklyn, NY have more ACL tears than men?
Studies within the orthopedic field have shown that female athletes have a higher rate of ACL tears than their male counterparts when participating in the same sport. There are different reasons this may occur, but it is primarily believed to be caused by a difference in muscle strength, neuromuscular control and physical conditioning. Dr. Nwachukwu can help female athletes in Brooklyn who have torn their ACL and he understands their need to get back “in the game” at a pre-injury level. His post-operative protocols have helped female athletes stay strong and avoid re-injury to their ACL.
Does my ACL Tear need surgery?
The majority of individuals in Brooklyn, NY who have torn their ACL require surgery to restore the stability of the knee. A complete or near complete tear means the anterior cruciate ligament has been severed or torn from the attachment site on the bones and the joint has become unstable. Although ACL tears are common, the surgery required to repair or reconstruct the ACL should be carefully considered. It is very important to seek a specialist with extensive experience in repairing a torn ACL like Dr. Nwachukwu. He has been specially trained and is excellent at getting patients back to the games they love.
Dr. Benedict Nwachukwu is a Leading ACL Knee Surgeon
The majority of patients in New York with an ACL tear will require a surgical procedure to which allows the injured knee to regain function. Most ACL tears cannot be stitched back together and require a procedure called an ACL Reconstruction. An ACL reconstruction will properly restore the ligament, and should only be performed by an experienced and talented knee surgeon.
What is an ACL Reconstruction?
During an ACL reconstruction, Dr. Nwachukwu will replace the torn ligament with a tissue graft. Grafts are obtained from numerous sources, such as the patient’s own hamstring tendons, patellar tendon or quadriceps tendon. These types of tissue grafts are called an autograft. A graft can also be obtained from a tissue bank, which is donated tissue and is called an allograft. Dr. Nwachukwu can discuss with his patients in Brooklyn the best type of graft for their ACL reconstruction.
Dr. Nwachukwu is an athlete and understands ALC injuries
Dr. Nwachukwu understands athletes and the demands sports can make on the knee. He understands orthopedic injuries due to his time as a four-year starter on the men’s basketball team at Columbia University. He has a passion for working with individuals who are motivated to stay in the game and overcome injury, including ACL tears and other knee injuries.
For the best treatment of an ACL tear in Brooklyn, NY and the surrounding New York boroughs, please contact the office of knee surgeon Dr. Benedict Nwachukwu.