ACL Tear Repair Without Surgery in New York
Procedures using Regenexx lab processes, including Perc-ACLR (percutaneous ACL repair), may offer a non-surgical alternative for treating certain ACL injuries. Developed as a minimally invasive option, this approach utilizes interventional orthobiologics to support the body’s natural healing process.
ACL injuries are among the more frequently addressed knee conditions by physicians in the licensed Regenexx network. In appropriate cases—particularly those involving non-retracted partial or full tears, these procedures may help reduce pain and may improve joint stability, potentially avoiding the need for typical surgical intervention.
Repair of ACL tear without surgery
ACL Tear Recovery Time Without Surgery
When considering options after an ACL injury, it is important to weigh all treatment approaches, including recovery timeline, potential return to activity, and the potential long-term impact on joint health. Procedures using Regenexx lab processes are designed to preserve the ACL whenever possible, rather than remove or replace it.
Perc-ACLR is a procedure that utilizes image-guided injections of the individual’s own bone marrow concentrate. This process is typically completed in a single day and is considered a minimally invasive approach compared to surgery. In appropriate cases, this option may offer a shorter recovery period and may support the body’s natural healing response.
| Perc-ACLR | Surgery | |
|---|---|---|
| Procedure Invasiveness | Much less | Much more |
| Return to Sports | 3 to 6 months | 1 year |
| Keep your ACL | Yes | NO |
| Recovery | Brace, much less extensive PT | Crutches, brace, extensive PT |
2577 East 17th Street
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Brooklyn, NY 11229
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| Sunday | Closed |
| Monday | 9AM–5PM |
| Tuesday | 9AM–5PM |
| Wednesday | 9AM–5PM |
| Thursday | 9AM–5PM |
| Friday | 9AM–5PM |
| Saturday | Closed |
How Does the Regenexx Approach Work?
The Regenexx approach utilizes interventional orthobiologics, a specialized method of orthopedic care developed as a minimally invasive alternative to ACL surgery. These procedures use imaging guidance, such as ultrasound, to deliver the individual’s own bone marrow concentrate precisely to the site of injury within the joint.
The healing agents in bone marrow concentrate may help support the body’s natural healing response. In appropriate cases, this approach may assist in addressing ACL tears without the need for surgery[1].
Regenexx for ACL Tears: Perc-ACLR
Available at Pain Doctors Medical – Brooklyn, New York
Perc-ACLR is a procedure using Regenexx lab processes that may offer a minimally invasive alternative to typical ACL surgery. At Pain Doctors Medical in Brooklyn, New York, this process typically occurs over one day.
The procedure begins with the physician extracting a small amount of bone marrow using precise imaging guidance and a specialized technique licensed by Regenexx. After the bone marrow is drawn, it is processed by a trained lab technician following Regenexx protocols. Patients typically have a period of rest before reinjection, which occurs approximately three to six hours later.
Fluoroscopy (real-time X-ray guidance) and MRI imaging with contrast are used to create a thorough map of the ACL tear. This imaging roadmap helps guide the physician in placing the processed bone marrow concentrate into the affected areas of the ligament. Local anesthesia is applied to enhance comfort during the reinjection.
Following the procedure, mild joint soreness may occur for one to three days, with discomfort generally decreasing within five to seven days. Many individuals report functional improvement within a month and may begin physical therapy and light activity during early recovery.
Watch a real patient’s Regenexx procedure
Note: Individual outcomes may vary. For more information about patient outcomes, please visit our Patients’ Results page: https://regenexx.com/results/.
Before and After MRI Images
These MRI images illustrate the changes observed in individuals who underwent procedures using Regenexx lab processes as an alternative to ACL surgery.
In the before image, the ACL appears disrupted. In contrast, the after image shows a more continuous dark band running diagonally, an appearance typically associated with a more intact ligament structure.
FAQs
Knee joint anatomy showing ACL
The knee joint contains two cruciate ligaments—named for their cross-like arrangement—that help stabilize the joint. These ligaments intersect to form an X: the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is positioned at the front, while the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) lies at the back. The ACL prevents the shinbone from sliding too far forward, and the PCL stops it from sliding backward.
ACL surgery is typically not considered an emergency unless there is severe damage to surrounding structures, pronounced joint instability, or unmanageable pain. In many cases, adults with some degree of knee stability can postpone surgery for one to two months. For young athletes, the recommended waiting period may be shorter, often influenced by the goal of a quicker return to sports. Some patients may benefit from starting with physical therapy to support recovery. If symptoms persist, nonsurgical alternatives like Perc-ACLR may be explored before proceeding with surgery.
Studies have shown that ACL sprains, and in some cases, even complete tears, may have the potential to heal without surgical intervention, particularly when interventional orthopedic treatments like the Perc-ACLR procedure are used. These non-surgical approaches harness the body’s natural healing mechanisms to support ligament repair. Given this potential for natural healing, surgical reconstruction may not be the only option for addressing ACL injuries.
ACL sprains, tears, and ruptures are often used interchangeably, as they all refer to varying degrees of injury to the anterior cruciate ligament. Clinically, these injuries are categorized as sprains and graded based on severity:
- Grade 1 Sprain: The ligament is slightly overstretched but remains intact and capable of maintaining knee joint stability.
- Grade 2 Sprain: The ligament is partially torn or more significantly stretched, resulting in some looseness within the joint. This is commonly referred to as a partial tear.
- Grade 3 Sprain: This represents a complete tear of the ligament, in which the ACL is fully disrupted, often split into two parts, leading to marked joint instability.
The term ACL rupture typically refers to a complete, full-thickness tear, equivalent to a Grade 3 sprain, and may involve visible ligament deformity or retraction.
Statistically, only about half of athletes who undergo ACL reconstruction regain full function after rehabilitation and are able to return to their previous level of sport. The remaining half may recover knee stability but often do not regain normal biomechanics or proprioception equal to the uninjured knee. Some may also experience functional limitations in daily life. It is advisable to seek a second opinion before proceeding with surgery, as conventional ACL reconstruction carries several documented risks and the initial injury may have been misdiagnosed. While surgery can be appropriate for certain cases, the majority of individuals may be able to avoid it.
Approximately 17 percent of adults report anterior knee pain or pain while kneeling after surgery, and between 5 percent and 29 percent experience graft failure and loss of knee stability, with higher failure rates seen in younger patients. Other potential complications include knee stiffness or loss of range of motion (approximately 5 percent), painful hardware (approximately 6 percent), infection (approximately 1 percent to 2 percent), and patellar tendon rupture or patellar fracture in cases involving bone-to-bone grafts.[3-6]
Increased youth participation in high-intensity elite sports has resulted in much higher rates of ACL repair surgery in young teens, however, research is now suggesting that postsurgery complications may be worse in kids than adults. If preserving the natural physical gifts you were born with and “keeping original parts and structures intact” is your goal, you may want to consider a nonsurgical alternative like Perc-ACLR.
Rising participation in high-intensity elite sports among youth has led to increased ACL reconstruction surgeries in young teens. However, emerging research suggests that postsurgical complications may be more pronounced in children than in adults. If the goal is to preserve one’s natural physical structure and “keep original parts and structures intact,” a nonsurgical option like Perc-ACLR may be worth considering.
A large review of 160 clinical trials found higher complication rates among young adolescents undergoing ACL repair, including increased risk of growth disturbances, skeletal deformities, and ligament rerupture that may require revision surgery. The study focused on a skeletally immature population with an average age of 13.[7]
Additionally, a 2010 Swedish study challenged the belief that surgery is the only path to healing. Among athletes with an average age of 26 who followed a strict physical therapy regimen instead of surgery, 60 percent never required ligament reconstruction and were still able to return to sports.[8]
ACL tears can be classified in many ways, but within regenerative medicine, they are typically grouped into three primary types: partial-thickness, full-thickness non-retracted, and full-thickness retracted tears. Both partial-thickness and full-thickness non-retracted tears may be suitable for treatment using regenerative approaches such as the Regenexx knee Perc-ACL procedure, which promotes healing without the need for surgery. In contrast, full-thickness retracted tears usually require surgical repair to restore proper function.
- Partial-Thickness ACL Tear
A partial-thickness tear does not extend through the entire ligament. Imaging typically reveals that a portion of the ACL remains intact, indicating that the tear is incomplete. - Full-Thickness Non-Retracted ACL Tear
This type of tear involves a complete disruption of the ligament fibers; however, the torn ends have not separated significantly. The ligament is fully torn, but the pieces remain aligned and have not recoiled or retracted, making it potentially responsive to regenerative treatment. - Full-Thickness Retracted ACL Tear
In this case, the ligament has torn completely, and the ends have pulled apart—often recoiling like a stretched rubber band that snaps. This displacement generally limits the success of nonsurgical options and typically necessitates surgical reconstruction.
ACL tears
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References
1. Centeno C, Markle J, Dodson E, Stemper I, Williams C, Hyzy M, Ichim T, Freeman M. Symptomatic anterior cruciate ligament tears treated with percutaneous injection of autologous bone marrow concentrate and platelet products: a non-controlled registry study. J Transl Med. 2018 Sep 3;16(1):246. doi: 10.1186/s12967-018-1623-3. PMID: 30176875. PMID: 30176875. [Google Scholar]
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