Who Is the Best ACL Reconstruction Specialist in Clifton?
You can consult Dr. Michael K. Shindle at Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine in Clifton for ACL reconstruction. As a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, he uses advanced techniques, including arthroscopic surgery and minimally invasive procedures, to restore knee stability and joint function.
He also works as an Orthopedic Consultant for the New York Football Giants. This experience with elite athletes helps him accurately diagnose and treat ACL, ligament, and sports-related injuries with precision and advanced techniques. Call us at 855-321-6784 to book your appointment today with Dr. Michael K. Shindle.
Why Should You Choose Total Ortho for ACL Reconstruction?
Our knee specialist, Dr. Michael K. Shindle at Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, provides advanced care for ACL injuries using precise diagnostic and surgical techniques. He carefully assesses your ACL tear, activity level, and knee alignment to determine the most suitable surgical method and graft option for your condition. This focused approach helps restore knee stability, supports long-term joint health, and reduces the risk of reinjury.
Here are the key reasons to choose Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine for ACL reconstruction:
Precise Diagnosis and Imaging Support
We use advanced imaging techniques, including MRI and digital X-rays, to accurately diagnose ACL injuries, ligament damage, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, and other related knee conditions. In addition, our orthopedic specialists carefully assess joint alignment, cartilage health, and surrounding soft tissues to understand the full extent of injury. This detailed evaluation helps us create a structured treatment plan that supports safe and effective recovery.
In fact, according to research by Dr. Michael K. Shindle and co-authors, unrecognized posterolateral corner (PLC) injuries can significantly increase stress on the ACL graft. As a result, patients may experience persistent instability after reconstruction. Therefore, identifying associated ligament injuries before ACL reconstruction or revision surgery is essential to improve surgical outcomes and long-term knee stability.
Structured Follow-Up And Recovery Monitoring
We closely monitor your recovery through structured follow-up visits after ACL reconstruction to ensure proper healing. During these visits, our team assesses swelling, joint function, muscle strength, and range of motion to detect any early signs of complications during recovery. Based on these findings, we adjust your recovery plan as needed to support safe, steady progress.
Experience With Sports Injuries And Athletes
Our doctor, Dr. Michael K. Shindle, has extensive experience in treating sports and acute injuries, including ACL tears, meniscus tears, labral tears ,rotator cuff tears, ligament sprains, and cartilage damage in active individuals. Because of this clinical expertise, he has a deep understanding of how different sports place varying levels and types of stress on the knee joint and its surrounding structures. Therefore, our specialized treatment approach focuses on long-lasting relief and on restoring muscle strength, joint stability, balance, and the functional movement required for sports performance.
Comprehensive Pain Management Approach
We use a comprehensive pain management approach to reduce post-surgical discomfort and support early movement after ACL reconstruction. For effective pain control and a smooth recovery, our surgeon includes the following strategies in your recovery plan:
- Medications to reduce inflammation and chronic joint pain
- Nerve blocks for targeted and effective pain relief after surgery
- Gentle range-of-motion exercises to prevent stiffness and improve joint mobility
- Ice therapy to help control swelling and discomfort
- Limb elevation to reduce post-operative swelling
Why Trust a Sports Medicine Surgeon for ACL?
A sports medicine surgeon has advanced training in ligament reconstruction and uses minimally invasive techniques to perform precise repairs with minimal tissue damage while treating ACL injuries. They also select the graft and surgical approach based on your sport and activity needs. This patient-centered approach supports safe recovery, better knee stability, and a more confident return to daily activities and sports.
In addition, a sports medicine surgeon carefully assesses your injury pattern, lifestyle, and future activity goals before planning treatment. This detailed assessment helps reduce the risk of re-injury and ensures the customized treatment plans match your functional demands. They also monitor your healing through regular follow-ups and adjust your recovery plan when needed, helping you avoid complications.
What are the Signs You Need ACL Reconstruction?
You may need ACL Reconstruction if you hear a “pop” at the time of injury, followed by immediate swelling and clear knee instability. You may also notice your knee “gives way” when walking, turning, or standing. These symptoms often indicate that the ligament is significantly damaged. Here are additional ACL tear signs that may require ACL reconstruction:
Limited Range Of Motion
You may find it difficult to fully bend or straighten your knee after an ACL injury. As stiffness increases, it can interfere with everyday movements such as sitting or climbing stairs. This restriction often points to reduced joint function and may suggest underlying structural damage that requires further assessment.
Pain During Activity
You may experience persistent pain while walking, running, or performing daily tasks. The discomfort often increases with movement or weight-bearing activities, indicating reduced knee stability and increased joint stress that affects normal function.
Reduced Strength And Balance
You may notice weakness in your leg or difficulty maintaining balance, especially when standing on one foot. This reduced muscle control around the knee can affect coordination and increase the risk of falls or further injury.
Clicking Or Locking Sensation In The Knee
A clicking, catching, or locking sensation may occur during knee movement after an ACL injury. In many cases, this indicates associated conditions such as meniscus tears or cartilage damage, which commonly occur alongside ACL injuries and can further affect joint function.
Inability To Bear Full Weight
You may have difficulty placing full weight on your injured leg, particularly during walking or standing. This often indicates weakness in the supporting structures of the knee. As a result, you may place more weight on the other leg to maintain balance. Over time, this can affect your normal walking pattern and make routine activities more difficult.
Failure To Improve With Non-Surgical Treatment
Lack of improvement in knee pain despite rest, exercises, or other non-surgical treatments often indicates that the ligament cannot heal on its own. In such cases, surgical reconstruction may be required to restore knee stability and support normal joint function.
How Can You Prepare For Knee Surgery?
You should strengthen your leg muscles through prehabilitation exercises and improve your overall fitness. You must also stop smoking, review your medications with your orthopedic doctors, and arrange post-operative support at home to ensure a smooth recovery. These steps help you heal faster and return to normal activity safely and with confidence.
Here are additional preparation steps for knee surgery:
- Modify your home: Remove loose rugs, clutter, and slippery surfaces to reduce the risk of falls. In addition, installing support items such as handrails or a stable chair can improve safety during early recovery.
- Use antiseptic preparation as advised: You should follow your surgeon’s instructions for using antiseptic soap before surgery. This helps reduce skin bacteria and lowers the risk of infection.
- Schedule required medical and dental checks: Completing any pending dental or medical treatments in advance helps reduce infection risks and supports safer healing after surgery.
- Prepare recovery tools in advance: You may need crutches, knee braces, or ice packs after surgery. Therefore, arranging them early ensures a smooth start to recovery.
- Follow fasting and pre-surgery instructions: You must strictly follow your surgeon’s guidance on fasting before surgery. This helps ensure anesthesia safety and reduces the risk of complications.
- Focus on nutrition for recovery: A balanced diet rich in protein and vitamins, along with adequate hydration, supports tissue healing and speeds recovery after surgery.
Besides that, you should discuss your post-surgery rehabilitation plan in advance. This helps you stay mentally prepared and understand the ACL surgery recovery process at each stage. In addition, setting up a comfortable recovery space with easy leg elevation and essential items within reach reduces unnecessary movement during early healing.
How Is A Torn ACL Fixed During ACL Surgery?
During ACL surgery, our surgeon first confirms the tear using arthroscopy through small incisions in your knee. The damaged ACL is then carefully removed. After this, a new ligament (graft) is prepared, usually from your hamstring, patellar tendon, quadriceps tendon, or donor tissue.
Once the graft is ready, precise tunnels are created in your thighbone and shinbone to match the anatomic position of the ACL. The graft is then passed through these tunnels and securely fixed with screws or buttons. This helps restore knee stability and supports proper healing, allowing a gradual return to movement.
In addition, graft fixation plays a key role in early healing and knee stability. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information (NCBI), commonly used fixation methods in ACL reconstruction include interference screws, suspensory buttons, anchors, and hybrid systems. These devices help secure the graft in place and allow it to withstand early shear and tensile forces while it gradually integrates with the bone.
How Long Does ACL Reconstruction Surgery Take?
ACL reconstruction surgery usually takes about 1 to 2 hours. In severe cases, it can extend up to 3 hours. According to a study published in the Sage Journal, the average operative time for ACL reconstruction is 89.7 ± 28.6 minutes (approximately 89.7 minutes, with a ±28.6-minute range), which is roughly 1.5 hours. However, the exact duration depends on the following factors:
- Associated knee damage: If meniscus tears or cartilage damage are present, the surgeon performs additional repair steps during the procedure, which naturally extends the surgery time.
- Graft selection and preparation: The type of graft the surgeon chooses, such as a hamstring tendon, patellar tendon, or donor tissue, can affect the preparation time.
- Surgical technique used: While arthroscopic surgery is minimally invasive and efficient, complex cases that require additional reconstruction or adjustments may increase operative time.
- Patient-specific anatomy: Individual differences in knee structure, alignment, or prior injuries may require modified surgical planning, potentially affecting overall duration.
- Surgeon experience and technique speed: An experienced orthopedic surgeon can perform the advanced procedure with greater efficiency and precision, helping reduce surgical time without compromising safety.
- Anesthesia preparation and setup time: Before surgery begins, time is required for anesthesia administration, monitoring setup, and patient preparation in the operating room.
In some cases, unexpected issues such as hidden cartilage damage or additional ligament injury may be discovered during the procedure, requiring additional repair steps and extending the overall time. Additionally, the efficiency of the medical team, operating room setup, and hospital protocols also play an important role in how smoothly and quickly the orthopedic surgery is completed.
What Is the Recovery Process After ACL Surgery?
In the first few weeks after ACL surgery, our surgeons focus on helping you control swelling, protect the graft with a brace, and gradually begin gentle range-of-motion exercises. Then, we introduce the strengthening and balance training to help restore function and knee stability. This recovery stage may include the following exercises:
- Quadriceps sets: Tighten the quadriceps while keeping the leg straight, then hold briefly and relax slowly. This exercise activates the quadriceps and supports early knee recovery with minimal stress.
- Straight leg raises: Lie flat with the leg straight, then slowly lift and lower it in a controlled manner. This exercise promotes knee stability and improves joint control.
- Hamstring curls: The knee is gently bent by bringing the heel toward the buttocks, then returned to the starting position. This movement strengthens the back of the thigh and supports knee stability.
- Heel raises: While standing upright, the body is slowly lifted onto the toes and then lowered back down in a controlled manner. This movement strengthens the calf and improves limb support.
- Mini squats: Stand with feet shoulder-width apart and bend the knees slightly while keeping the back straight, then return to the standing position.
As recovery progresses, our surgeons carefully guide you toward higher-level activities. According to a study published in PubMed, return to cutting and pivoting sports after ACL reconstruction is generally not recommended before 9 to 12 months. This timeframe allows for proper graft healing and the restoration of muscle strength, reducing the risk of reinjury.
When Is It Safe To Return To Sports After Surgery?
You can resume light activities in about 3 months once strength and mobility improve. However, for high-impact or contact sports, you may need 9 to 12 months or longer to ensure full recovery, proper joint stability, and reduced risk of reinjury. According to the Journal of Orthopedic & Sports Physical Therapy, athletes who return to sports within nine months after ACL reconstruction face up to a sevenfold higher risk of sustaining a second ACL injury compared to those who delay their return.
Moreover, our expert orthopedic surgeon, Dr. Michael K. Shindle, will assess the following factors before allowing you to resume sports:
Knee Stability During Movement
Our surgeon ensures your knee remains stable during walking, squatting, and direction changes, without any feeling of giving way. This indicates that the reconstructed ligament is providing proper joint support under sport-specific demands.
Restoration Of Muscle Strength And Balance
He confirms that the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles have regained near-equal strength compared to the opposite leg. Good muscle balance helps protect the knee and improves control during running, jumping, and landing.
Functional Movement Performance
He uses guided tests such as single-leg hops, controlled pivots, and agility drills to assess stability, control, and overall joint response. This assessment helps determine whether your knee is ready to tolerate sport-specific demands and supports a safe return to high-level activity.
Control Of Pain And Swelling After Activity
He also monitors how the knee responds after physical activity. The absence of ongoing joint pain or swelling indicates that the joint is handling increased load well and recovering appropriately. This finding helps guide safe progression in activity levels and reduces the risk of overloading the joint during recovery.
How Much Does ACL Reconstruction Surgery Cost?
ACL reconstruction surgery typically costs between $20,000 and $50,000 without insurance in the U.S. However, with insurance, your out-of-pocket expenses usually range from $1,500 to $6,000, depending on your deductible, copay, and insurance coverage. In addition, the total cost varies based on the following factors:
Surgical Facility
Costs can vary significantly between hospitals and outpatient surgery centers. Hospitals are generally more expensive due to advanced infrastructure, specialized staff availability, and extended post-operative care services. In contrast, outpatient surgical centers often provide a more cost-efficient option while still maintaining high-quality surgical care and faster discharge.
Graft Type
The choice of graft, such as hamstring tendon, patellar tendon, or donor tissue, can affect the overall cost of ACL surgery. Each option requires different surgical preparation, fixation techniques, and operative time, which directly affect pricing.
Surgeon Expertise
Fees may vary based on the orthopedic surgeon’s experience, skill level, and specialization. Highly experienced sports medicine surgeons often charge higher professional fees due to their advanced training, precision in cartilage restoration technique, and ability to handle complex knee injuries.
Book a Consultation With Dr. Michael Shindle for ACL Reconstruction in Clifton, NJ!
If you are dealing with an ACL injury, choosing the right specialist in Clifton, NJ, can be difficult and time-consuming. In many cases, even after seeking multiple opinions or brief consultations, you may still not get a clear understanding of your knee condition or the most appropriate treatment option.
At Total Orthopedics and Sports Medicine, Dr. Michael K. Shindle provides clear, structured, and specialized care to help you make informed decisions about ACL reconstruction. He designs a treatment plan that focuses on accurate diagnosis, knee stability, and long-term joint function. Call 855-321-6784 to book your appointment online or visit our clinic in Clifton for advanced surgery.
FAQs
What Is The Success Rate Of ACL Reconstruction?
The success rate of ACL reconstruction is generally high, with about 85% to 95% of patients achieving good to excellent knee stability and function after surgery. However, individual results depend on factors such as age, activity level, graft type, and adherence to a structured rehabilitation plan.
Is Arthroscopic ACL Surgery Better Than Open Surgery?
Yes, arthroscopic ACL surgery is generally considered better than open surgery because it is minimally invasive, uses small incisions, and causes less damage to healthy tissue. Moreover, it usually results in less pain, a lower infection risk, and faster recovery with improved early mobility.
What Questions Should I Ask During My First Consultation?
During your first consultation, you should ask about your diagnosis, surgical options, expected recovery time, and possible risks. In addition, it is important to discuss the doctor’s experience, success rates, rehabilitation plan, and treatment costs. This helps you better understand your condition and make informed decisions.
Are Female Athletes At Higher Risk For ACL Injuries?
Yes, female athletes are at a higher risk of injury than male athletes. This increased risk is linked to factors such as hormonal changes, differences in knee structure, and muscle strength imbalance. Landing mechanics in sports also place more stress on the ligament, increasing the chance of injury.
How Soon Should I Consult an Orthopedic Surgeon After an ACL Injury?
You should consult a doctor as soon as possible after an ACL injury, ideally within 24 to 48 hours. Early assessment helps confirm the diagnosis and identify any associated knee injuries. It also helps reduce swelling and allows for timely diagnostic imaging, which supports a clear treatment plan.
