Online Resources
Many ACL-related resources are available online. Websites sponsored by government agencies, professional organizations, orthopedic surgeons, private companies, and ACL surgery patients offer valuable information for the savvy cyber-surfer. A logical starting point is the site presented by the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, which provides a straightforward overview of knee health. Professional organizations such as the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons and the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine offer more specific information on the ACL and ACL surgery and rehabilitation. A number of orthopedic surgeons and orthopedic clinics provide similar information to their patients and the online community as a whole. Reflecting the widespread agreement on the fundamentals of ACL surgery and rehabilitation in the field of orthopedics, you are likely to find remarkable consistency in terms of the information provided.
Current and former ACL surgery patients can be excellent resources when they share their experiences with others. You can tap into their firsthand knowledge by checking out their personal websites and reading their postings on online message boards, where you can ask questions and get responses from dozens of people who have dealt with the same sorts of issues. As you look at these message boards and websites, you may get the impression that problems are more common in ACL surgery and rehabilitation than they actually are. Patients who are experiencing difficulties are more likely to post an inquiry on an online message board than patients for whom things are going smoothly. Be sure to take this bias into account when you examine the online materials. To find additional online resources, go to your favorite search engine and use terms such as "anterior cruciate ligament" and "ACL surgery."
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