My Approach to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is among the most common problems encountered by orthopedic surgeons. However, the algorithm to optimally manage these pathologic conditions is still a topic of debate. We believe that accurate diagnosis, with specific attention to concomitant injuries, is crucial to management. Furthermore, individual patient goals and activity levels must be critically examined for appropriate treatment. Careful attention must be paid to technical factors that can predispose a graft to failure. When all these factors are considered, excellent short-term results can be attained, and athletes can return to sport at a high level.