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Dr. Matava explains how a doctor will know if a woman has a complete anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.
Dr. Matava:
Well, the physical examination is accurate about 97% of the time for a patient who has had an ACL tear. Now, after the ACL is injured and the physical examination is performed, a surgeon may want to get an MRI to either confirm the diagnosis or to look for any other concurrent injuries, such as meniscus or cartilage tears. An MRI is very, very accurate. Again, no test is 100% accurate, but upwards of 95-97% accurate in diagnosing the ACL tear.
So, between the physical examination and the MRI, you have a very high likelihood of diagnosing the problem.
About Dr. Matava, M.D.:
Dr. Matthew J. Matava, M.D., is an associate professor and orthopedic surgeon at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis. Specializing in sports medicine, his clinical areas of interest include ligament injuries of the knee, athletic injuries of the shoulder and elbow, and pediatric orthopedic knee disorders.
Visit Dr. Matava at Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis