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Specialty Orthopaedics:
Samuel Park, MD

Orthopedic Services

ACL Tear Doctor ACL Tear Specialist


An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is a knee injury that can occur if you twist or pivot on your knee abruptly, gets struck in the knee, or simply land on your feet awkwardly. Because the pain often sets in immediately, have your knee evaluated by orthopedic specialist Samuel Park, MD, of Specialty Orthopaedics. Dr. Park treats ACL tears and injuries as his Hinsdale, Illinois, location. Schedule your exam by using the online scheduling system or by calling the clinic.

ACL Tear Q & A

What is an ACL tear?

Your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most important ligaments in your knee. It’s responsible for supporting your knee and providing rotational stability when you twist or pivot period. As strong as the ACL may be, it’s easy to tear or rupture it with one wrong move. You can injure your ACL by:

  • Making sudden stops
  • Jumping or landing incorrectly
  • Quickly changing directions
  • Missing a step while climbing stairs
  • Gets stuck in the knee, such as a contact sport or work injury

While anyone of any age can tear their ACL, this injury most commonly occurs among athletes who participate in football, tennis, basketball, or any other sport where you constantly stop and start or change direction. You’re also more likely to suffer from an ACL injury if you’re older.

How do I know if I have an ACL tear?

Some men and women explain hearing or feeling a “pop” as soon as the ACL injury occurs. You may immediately experience:

  • Swelling or stiffness
  • Feeling of instability
  • Loss of range of motion
  • Pain while bearing weight on the knee

For minor ACL tears, you might not experience dramatic symptoms right away. Instead, your symptoms can worsen over the following days after your injury.

Do I need surgery for an ACL tear?

Possibly. Because Dr. Park has an extensive background in treating ACL and sports injuries, he usually tries more conservative nonsurgical treatments first. You might be able to recover by icing and resting the area.

Many ACL injury sufferers need physical therapy, too. Rehabilitation isn’t just about rebuilding your knee stability; it also involves strengthening your surrounding muscles to minimize your risk of going through another ACL injury in the future. ACL tear surgery is performed through minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques.

Dr. Park removes the damaged part of your ligament and replaces it with a tendon graft. After surgery, new ligament tissue begins to build over the graft. After ACL surgery, it can take up to 6-12 months for you to return to your sport or regular exercise routine.

If you suspect you have an ACL tear, schedule an exam at Specialty Orthopaedics right away. You can use the online scheduling system or call the clinic to book.

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