Sports Medicine Surgery · Kennewick, WA
ACL Reconstruction — Back in the Game.
Fellowship-trained sports medicine surgeon specializing in ACL reconstruction for athletes in the Tri-Cities, WA. Kennewick, Richland & Pasco.
What is it?
The ligament that keeps your knee in the game.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) runs diagonally through the center of your knee, controlling rotational stability and preventing your shin from sliding forward. When it tears — from a pivot, a landing, or a collision — the knee buckles and becomes unstable.
Most competitive athletes with complete ACL tears require surgical reconstruction to return to their sport at full capacity. Without it, recurrent instability can damage the meniscus and cartilage over time.
Dr. Kelly performs ACL reconstruction using graft tissue (patellar tendon, hamstring, or allograft depending on your anatomy and goals) to replace the torn ligament and restore full function.
Signs of an ACL tear
- A "pop" at the time of injury
- Immediate knee swelling within hours
- Feeling of instability — knee "giving way"
- Difficulty bearing weight or pivoting
- Pain and loss of full range of motion
An MRI confirms the diagnosis. Most ACL tears are complete ruptures requiring reconstruction for athletes who want to return to sport.
Who needs surgery?
Best candidates for ACL reconstruction.
Not every ACL injury requires surgery — but for most athletes, it's the clearest path back to full competition.
01
Competitive Athletes
High school, college, recreational, or professional athletes who want to return to pivoting, cutting, or jumping sports need reconstruction.
02
Young Active Patients
Younger patients who want to remain active long-term benefit most from reconstruction, which protects the meniscus from ongoing instability damage.
03
Combined Injuries
If the ACL tear involves the meniscus or other ligaments, surgical repair of all structures is typically needed at the same time.
The procedure
What to expect with ACL reconstruction.<Graft Selection: What the Research Shows
Every ACL reconstruction requires a tendon graft to replace the torn ligament. Dr. Kelly evaluates graft choice individually — based on age, activity level, anatomy, and sport. Here are the three most commonly used options:
Dr. Kelly's PreferenceQuadriceps Tendon Autograft
Harvested from your own quadriceps tendon, this graft is larger in diameter than hamstring grafts and avoids the bone plug issues of BPTB. Emerging research strongly supports it for young, active athletes. Excellent healing potential and less anterior knee pain than patellar tendon grafts.
Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone (BPTB)
The long-held gold standard. Bone-to-bone healing means rapid incorporation. Still the preferred choice for some elite contact-sport athletes. Trade-off is anterior knee pain — particularly with kneeling — in some patients.
Hamstring Autograft
A four-strand hamstring tendon graft with a smaller incision. Less anterior knee morbidity than BPTB. A reliable option when quad or patellar tendon harvest is not ideal, including some revision cases.
Graft selection is discussed in detail at your consultation. Dr. Kelly will review the published data and give you a direct recommendation for your specific situation and goals.
Graft Selection: What the Research Shows
Every ACL reconstruction requires a tendon graft to replace the torn ligament. Dr. Kelly evaluates graft choice individually — based on age, activity level, anatomy, and sport. Here are the three most commonly used options:
Quadriceps Tendon Autograft
Harvested from your own quadriceps tendon, this graft is larger in diameter than hamstring grafts and avoids the bone plug issues of BPTB. Emerging research strongly supports it for young, active athletes. Excellent healing potential and less anterior knee pain than patellar tendon grafts.
Bone–Patellar Tendon–Bone (BPTB)
The long-held gold standard. Bone-to-bone healing means rapid incorporation. Still the preferred choice for some elite contact-sport athletes. Trade-off is anterior knee pain — particularly with kneeling — in some patients.
Hamstring Autograft
A four-strand hamstring tendon graft with a smaller incision. Less anterior knee morbidity than BPTB. A reliable option when quad or patellar tendon harvest is not ideal, including some revision cases.
Graft selection is discussed in detail at your consultation. Dr. Kelly will review the published data and give you a direct recommendation for your specific situation and goals.
ACL reconstruction is performed arthroscopically — through small incisions using a camera. The procedure typically takes 1–1.5 hours as an outpatient surgery. You go home the same day.
Dr. Kelly will discuss graft options with you at your consultation — each has advantages depending on your age, sport, activity level, and anatomy:
- Patellar tendon — the "gold standard" for young competitive athletes, bone-to-bone healing
- Hamstring tendon — strong, less anterior knee pain, good choice for many athletes
- Allograft — donor tissue, used in certain circumstances or revision cases
Pre-op imaging & planning
MRI confirms the tear and evaluates meniscus. Dr. Kelly reviews your anatomy and sport demands to choose the right graft.
Outpatient surgery (~1–1.5 hrs)
Arthroscopic graft harvest, tunnel drilling, and ligament fixation. Same-day discharge. Crutches for the first few weeks.
Physical therapy begins immediately
Motion and quad activation start within days of surgery. Early rehab is essential for a full recovery.
Milestone-based return to sport
Dr. Kelly uses objective strength and movement testing — not just time — to clear athletes for return to full practice and competition.
Recovery
Return to sport timeline.
ACL recovery is a process — but one with a clear finish line. Most athletes return to full sport at 8–10 months.
0–6 wks
Early Recovery
Swelling control, crutch weaning, restoring range of motion. Focus on quad activation and reducing swelling.
6–16 wks
Strength Phase
Progressive strengthening. Single-leg exercises, bike, pool work. Return to walking and light jogging.
4–8 mos
Sport-Specific Training
Cutting, pivoting, sport drills. Strength and movement testing to clear for unrestricted sport.
Why Dr. Kelly
"I've been the patient I now treat — I know what it takes to compete, and I know what it takes to get back."
Fellowship-trained at the University of Missouri, Dr. Kelly served as team physician for Division I programs including football, basketball, and baseball — treating the same injuries at the highest level of college athletics. He came home to the Tri-Cities to bring that same standard of care to every patient he sees.
Mizzou
D1 team physician — football, basketball, baseball. Highest-level sports medicine training.
Fellowship
Orthopedic sports medicine fellowship, University of Missouri. Board-certified orthopedic surgeon.
All-State
Three-sport All-State athlete at Pasco High — he understands what it means to compete and what it takes to return.
FAQ
Common questions about ACL reconstruction.
Can the ACL heal without surgery?
Partial ACL tears in some lower-demand patients can be managed without surgery with rehabilitation and bracing. However, for athletes who want to return to pivoting and cutting sports, surgical reconstruction is the standard of care. A complete tear will not heal on its own.
How long is recovery after ACL surgery?
Most athletes return to full sport at 8–10 months. Dr. Kelly uses objective criteria — strength testing and movement assessments — to determine readiness, rather than just a time-based protocol. Some patients return sooner; others benefit from a full 10–12 months before competition.
What graft is best for my ACL?
The best graft depends on your age, sport, activity level, and anatomy. Patellar tendon grafts are often preferred for young, high-demand athletes. Hamstring grafts are a strong alternative with less anterior knee discomfort. Dr. Kelly will discuss options at your consultation based on your goals.
Will I need a brace after ACL surgery?
A hinged knee brace is typically used for the first 4–6 weeks to protect the repair. Dr. Kelly will provide specific recommendations based on your surgery and recovery progress. Return to sport may involve a functional brace depending on the sport.
Does Dr. Kelly do ACL surgery in Kennewick?
Yes. Dr. Kelly performs ACL reconstruction at Tri-City Orthopedics in Kennewick, WA, serving patients from Kennewick, Richland, Pasco, and surrounding areas including Walla Walla, Yakima, and Eastern Oregon.
Ready to address your ACL?
Request a consultation with Dr. Kelly at Tri-City Orthopedics in Kennewick — serving the Tri-Cities and surrounding region.