ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction is a commonly performed surgical procedure. Dr. Karsch has office in Sandy Springs and serves patients in the Greater Atlanta area. He offers arthroscopic surgery for ACL repair performed with minimal incision and low complication rates.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a major stabilizing ligament in the knee. It prevents the shin bone from moving in an abnormal manner on the thigh bone. When this ligament tears it does not heal on its own and can lead to the feeling of instability in the knee. Examples of when an ACL injury can occur include: during a football tackle, stopping moving and/or changing directions while running, landing from a jump, turning too quickly or any activity that can overextend your knee joint. An ACL tear is most often a sports-related injury altho tears can also occur during rough play, motor vehicle collisions, falls, and work-related injuries. When the ACL is damaged there is often a popping sound. Swelling usually occurs within hours of the injury and the knee can feel like it’s popping out of joint.
Dr. Karsch has over 20 years of experience in repairing ACLs. ACL repair doesn’t always include surgery. Sometimes strengthening exercises or a brace can compensate for the injury. However, bracing and exercise can only compensate for the instability but an ACL tear can promote additional damage to other structures in the knee including arthritis development. Diagnosing the ACL tear can often be made on the history and physical exam alone. An MRI can provide additional insight into the structures of the knee. If surgery is necessary, it will be performed arthroscopically. The ruptured ligament is removed and replaced either with a portion from the hamstring tendon or from a tissue bank tendon. The new tendon is fixed into the bone with various devices to hold it into place while the ligament heals into the bone
Within a few days, patients can bear weight back on the leg. Physical therapy should be started a few days after surgery in order to regain strength and function in the injured knee. The goal is to regain range of motion, reduce swelling, and achieve full weight-bearing in a timely manner.
Please call the office for questions regarding billing and insurance. We accept most insurance plans that do not require a referral from a Primary Care Physician and will do our best to inform you of your co-pays, deductibles, and network participation. We do not accept any form of Medicaid or Tricare. We are pleased to offer CareCredit as a payment option.
"Dr. Karsch has always been very professional around me. In the past he has done surgery on both shoulders with a great outcome and takes care of both knees."
"Dr. Karsch was also very detailed and helpful in his explanations of how he planned to repair my tendon and he also performed a seamless surgery with 0 pain."
