Athletes are recovering better from ACL injuries

by Phil Picardi, Minnesota Public Radio

ST. PAUL, Minn. — Minnesota Timberwolves guard Ricky Rubio is back practicing with his teammates this week. Rubio has been out of action since tearing the anterior cruciate ligament or ACL in his left knee in March. It's expected that he'll be ready to play in games again sometime next month.

Minnesota Vikings running back Adrian Peterson suffered an ACL injury last December. He's not only back on the field, he's one of the most valuable players in the NFL this year. An ACL tear used to be a much devastating injury.

Joining MPR's Phil Picardi to discuss why we're seeing such strong comebacks after ACL surgery is Jeffrey Macalena, an orthopedic surgeon at the University of Minnesota.

Broadcast Dates

• Morning Edition, 11/20/2012, 6:48 a.m.