Autografts in ACL reconstruction are tendons harvested from the patient’s own body at the beginning of the procedure and prepared as a tissue graft that can be inserted into the knee during the same procedure in an attempt to restore the normal anatomy of the ACL.
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is currently the gold standard of care for ACL injuries, particularly for young, active individuals and athletes who plan to return to a high level of sporting activities. In ACL reconstruction, the torn ACL tissue is surgically removed and replaced with another tendon or “graft”.
Patellofemoral instability is a debilitating condition that frequently occurs in young, active people, significantly affecting their quality of life. It can occur due to injury e.g. a direct impact to the knee, or from variations in a patient’s anatomy that allow the patella (kneecap) to dislocate with minimal force. Patellofemoral instability, however, is not just…
Stem cell therapy has recently grown in popularity as a treatment for osteoarthritis (OA) and musculoskeletal (MSK) injury. The rationale for their use is their natural ability to develop into many different cell types, thereby contributing to the healing process. But what scientific evidence justifies their use in this area of health care?
The surgeons at Banff Sport Medicine recommend an exercise program or ‘pre-habilitation’ (prehab) prior to surgery. Research shows that regaining the strength and movement in your injured limb before surgery will improve your recovery.
With the weather starting to warm up and the snow melting, people are dusting off their running shoes and getting back into an outdoor fitness regime. Unfortunately, this is also the time of year our Banff Sport Medicine Physicians start to see more patients suffering from “Runner’s knee”, also known as Patellofemoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS)…
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four stabilizing ligaments in the knee. Its role is to prevent the tibia (shin bone) from moving too far forward, as well as to prevent hyperextension of the knee (when the knee extends past its normal range of motion). An intact ACL also protects the menisci (the…
Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common form of arthritis that affects nearly one in six Canadians. It is a debilitating condition that causes chronic pain and loss of function due to the breakdown of cartilage – the flexible connective tissue found in joints – with the knee being commonly affected. Research shows that prior trauma such as…
