A torn ACL has long been associated with high school athletes, weekend warriors, and professional athletes. However, increasingly, active adults in their 50s, 60s, and beyond are sustaining ACL tears when injured skiing, playinig pickleball, and doing other recreational activities. As a result, Dr. Richard Cunningham, board-certified [...]
Dr. Richard Cunningham of Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON) is a leader in ACL reconstruction and athlete recovery. One of the more difficult skills to regain after surgery isn’t just walking or running—it’s jumping. Whether you’re a skier, a soccer player, or a weekend warrior, regaining the [...]
Dr. Richard Cunningham of Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON) specializes in treating ACL injuries and getting patients back to doing what they love to do. One question he often hears is, “Can I run after ACL surgery?” Returning to physical activity too soon after ACL reconstruction can [...]
Dr. Richard Cunningham of Vail-Summit Orthopaedics & Neurosurgery (VSON) is a highly regarded knee specialist with over 20 years of experience treating ACL injuries and guiding patients through their recovery journeys. A potential problem after ACL surgery is lingering knee stiffness and pain. One potential culprit? Cyclops lesions. This blog [...]
Do knee braces help after ACL surgery? Richard Cunningham, MD – a renowned board-certified orthopedic surgeon and knee doctor – has reconstructed thousands of ACL tears. Dr. Cunningham’s ACL surgery treatment plan always includes a timely and safe return to an active lifestyle. Many patients question if it is safe [...]
Muscle imbalances are one of the main reasons there is a higher incidence of ACL tears in females compared to males. Richard Cunningham, MD, a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine Specialist, works extensively in diagnosing and treating ACL injuries in female athletes. Dr. Cunningham wants female athletes to [...]
When anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery is required, due to a full thickness tear of the ACL, patients need information about surgical options. This should include what type of tendon graft the orthopedic surgeon recommends to achieve optimal results. Richard Cunningham, MD, a Board Certified Orthopedic Surgeon and Knee [...]
Why are Female Athletes Prone to ACL Injuries? Compared to male athletes, female athletes are more prone to anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. Studies show that women are 3-8 times more likely to sustain an ACL injury compared to men. The question is why? Considerations include a smaller diameter ACL, [...]
Are ACL Tears Common in Adolescent Athletes? Anterior cruciate ligament tears are fairly common in adolescent athletes. Amongst youth female soccer players, as many as one in three athletes will have experienced some degree of injury to their ACL by the time they conclude their soccer career. Activities such as [...]
What are the Different ACL Reconstruction Techniques? There are several anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction techniques available for treating ACL tears. The most important consideration is the type of graft used to reconstruct one’s ACL. The first choice is whether the graft will be an allograft or an autograft. An [...]