Understand your injury.
A pivoting injury, a pop, swelling, or giving way can signal a ligament injury. A focused exam helps determine what is injured and how stable your knee is.
What your evaluation considers
Your injury history, knee stability, motion, and associated injuries. Imaging may be recommended after your exam.
Discuss the treatment options.
- Rehabilitation and activity adjustments may be appropriate for some injuries.
- ACL reconstruction may be discussed when instability and activity goals make surgery appropriate.
- A return-to-sport plan considers strength, control, healing, and confidence.
Tell us about your sport, the activities you want to return to, and any previous treatment. An exam and relevant imaging help guide an individualized plan. This page cannot diagnose an injury or determine whether surgery is right for you.
Prepare for your visit.
Bring prior imaging and reports, a medication list, your insurance information, and any required referral. For a second opinion, bring relevant visit notes and operative reports.
For athletes under 18, a parent or legal guardian should help arrange care and confirm consent requirements with the office.
A joint that looks out of place, a new cold or numb limb after injury, or a hot swollen joint with fever or feeling unwell needs immediate medical assessment. Do not wait for a routine online appointment.
Educational reference: AAOS OrthoInfo (opens new tab).