Robert F. LaPrade, MD, PhD - Knee Surgeon & Sports Medicine Specialist

09/11/2026

A ramp tear may be small, but it can have a big impact.

Ramp tears involve the posterior horn of the medial meniscus and commonly occur alongside ACL injuries. When the ACL is torn, the tibia shifts forward relative to the femur, increasing the demands placed on the posterior horn of the medial meniscus.

If a ramp lesion is missed, the reconstructed ACL may face additional stress.

Because the posterior horn of the medial meniscus absorbs most of the weight of the medial compartment, a posterior horn medial meniscus tear is common.

09/11/2026

Why is ACL healing so difficult?

The ACL sits inside the knee joint, where the environment differs from that of many other ligaments. After an injury, healing requires a blood clot to form. But enzymes in the joint, including plasmin, help dissolve blood clots.

The result? The ACL has a challenging environment for natural healing.

An ACL tear is very common among athletes of all ages and competitive levels. In almost all sports, the rate of ACL tears is higher in women than in men.

09/10/2026

We would like to acknowledge the following summer research interns and medical students (Henri Brink, Andrew Hansen, Preston Jelen, Jack Kelly, Caden Lacher, Hayden Zheng and Adam Zukowski) who worked in a very successful academic summer at the Twin Cities Orthopedics Biomechanics Lab in Eagan, Minnesota.

Seven book chapters and several peer-reviewed publications on complex knee pathologies were designed and fully submitted this summer! We hope you all learned principles for writing a successful manuscript and that your work on the robot developed your future skills for orthopedic surgery.

09/04/2026

A dislocated kneecap can have multiple causes. Treatment should consider the bigger picture, including your knee anatomy, alignment, cartilage, and whether instability has happened before. The goal is lasting stability and a safe return to the activities you enjoy, not simply treating the injured ligament. https://drrobertlaprademd.com/lateral-patellar-instability-and-mpfl-injuries/

Lateral patellar instability is due to a patellar (kneecap) dislocation. A patient will experience their kneecap slipping out of the lateral of their knee.

09/03/2026

- After a devastating knee injury tore Megan MacFarlane’s ACL, PCL, MCL and meniscus, doctors told her she might never play contact sports again. She met with Dr. LaPrade for a second opinion and began a long road back to the soccer field.

After surgery and a rigorous rehabilitation program, Megan returned to play, and today, she’s a team captain.

After a two year hiatus, former patient Megan Macfarlance returns to the soccer field “ten times better.” At the start of her Freshman season the Burlington, Vermont native suffered a devastating knee injury during a high school match. At the time, Megan was a starting on the varsity squad and s...

09/01/2026

Recovery after an osteochondral autograft transfer takes time.

For the first 6 weeks, patients are generally non-weight-bearing and use a continuous passive motion machine for 6–8 hours daily. After 6 weeks, they can gradually increase weight-bearing and begin using a stationary bike.

Returning to full activity usually takes a minimum of 5–6 months.

One specific cartilage restoration procedure that has proven to bring patients relief, is an osteochondral autograft transfers (OATS).

08/28/2026

Not all knee injuries are straightforward. Posterolateral corner injuries can involve several important structures that work together to stabilize the knee. Understanding the anatomy and carefully planning reconstruction can help surgeons restore stability and support recovery.

Although posterolateral knee injuries represent a smaller percentage of cases, this injury pattern can create a devastating impact on athletic performance.

08/27/2026

How do you identify a medial meniscus tear on MRI? Dr. LaPrade explains what to look for, including horizontal cleavage tears. These tears occur within the meniscus fibers, splitting the tissue into upper and lower portions. https://drrobertlaprademd.com/how-to-read-a-mri-of-a-medial-meniscus-tear/

08/25/2026

Multiple ligament knee injuries were once commonly treated with casting or prolonged immobilization. Today, anatomic-based reconstruction and early range of motion have become important components of treatment, helping patients achieve better function while reducing the risk of a stiff, nonfunctioning knee.

Learn more ⬇️

Ligaments are made up of strong, dense connective tissue and are crucial to maintaining knee stability. Multi-ligament knee injuries hinder knee stability.

08/21/2026

A meniscus root tear is more than just a “tear,” it can affect how your knee absorbs stress and protects your cartilage.

Successful repair involves more than stitching the tear. It requires restoring the meniscus to its proper position, allowing healing, and preserving long-term knee function. Learn more

Dr. LaPrade's technique of a meniscal root repair involves isolating the root and a minimum of 2 sutures in the remaining meniscal attachment.