Condition

ACL Tear

ACL Tear care in West Palm Beach, FL

SpecialtyShoulder surgery, Sports medicine, Shoulder replacement
LocationWest Palm Beach, FL
TrainingMassachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Shoulder Service); Uniklinik Balgrist, Zurich, Switzerland (The Harvard Intercontinental Shoulder Fellowship)
BoardAmerican Board of Orthopaedic Surgery
Treated byRyan Simovitch, MD

The short answer

Dr. Simovitch treats ACL tears in West Palm Beach, an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament that stabilizes the knee. Care depends on your activity and how stable the knee is. Options range from physical therapy to ACL reconstruction for those who need it.

Ryan Simovitch diagnoses and treats acl tear in West Palm Beach, from the first visit through recovery.

What is ACL Tear?

The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is a band of tissue in the center of the knee that keeps the shin bone from sliding forward and rotating.

It is one of the main stabilizers of the joint.

Most ACL tears happen during a sudden stop, pivot, or landing, often in sports. Many people feel a pop, followed by swelling within hours and a feeling that the knee is unstable.

A torn ACL does not grow back together. Whether it needs surgery depends on how unstable the knee feels and what activities you want to return to.

How is ACL Tear diagnosed, and what does the visit involve?

Dr. Simovitch tests the knee's stability with maneuvers such as the Lachman test, which checks how far the shin bone shifts forward.

X-rays rule out fracture. An MRI scan, which shows ligaments and cartilage, confirms the tear and checks for related meniscus or cartilage injury.

**Knee Arthroscopy**Medical illustration of Knee Arthroscopy Read more

What is recovery like for ACL Tear?

Not every ACL tear needs surgery.

People with lower activity demands and a stable knee may do well with therapy alone. Those who pivot, cut, or play contact sports often choose reconstruction. Dr. Simovitch will weigh your stability, your goals, and any other knee injuries before recommending a path.

What do patients ask most?

Can you walk with a torn ACL?

Many people can walk once the swelling settles, but the knee may feel unstable during pivoting or cutting. Stability during daily life and sport is what guides treatment.

Do all ACL tears need surgery?

No. People with low activity demands and a stable knee can sometimes manage with therapy. Reconstruction is common for those returning to pivoting or contact sports.

What happens if I leave an ACL tear untreated?

An unstable knee can give way and, over time, this may lead to further meniscus or cartilage injury. Whether to treat is a conversation about your activity and how the knee behaves day to day.

How soon can I return to sports after an ACL injury?

For those who have reconstruction, return-to-sport timelines are discussed as ranges on the ACL reconstruction procedure page, not as promises.

What are the treatment options?

01
Rest, ice, and swelling control in the first days after injuryRest, ice, and swelling control in the first days after injury.
02
Physical therapy to restore motion and rebuild the muscles that stabilize the kneePhysical therapy to restore motion and rebuild the muscles that stabilize the knee.
03
A brace for support during recovery or return to activityA brace for support during recovery or return to activity.
04
ACL reconstruction, rebuilding the ligament with a tissue graft, for people whose knees reACL reconstruction, rebuilding the ligament with a tissue graft, for people whose knees remain unstable or who return to pivoting sports.

Shoulder surgery, Sports medicine, Shoulder replacementRyan Simovitch, MD

Fellowship trained at Massachusetts General Hospital (Harvard Shoulder Service); Uniklinik Balgrist, Zurich, Switzerland (The Harvard Intercontinental Shoulder Fellowship). Sees patients in West Palm Beach.

About Dr. Simovitch

Written and reviewed by Ryan Simovitch, MD. Last reviewed 2026-10-01.

This page is educational and is not a substitute for medical advice.