New Technique for ACL Surgery
Dr. Christopher P. Piller, MD, a Harbin Clinic Orthopaedic Surgeon and Sports Medicine
Physician, has introduced to the region an alternative surgery for knee anterior curciate
ligament, or “ACL” reconstruction. The “All Inside” ACL surgery is a minimally
invasive technique not offered in the Northwest Georgia area – until now.
“I’m excited to be able to offer this new surgical option to patients who are good
candidates for the procedure. I learned the technique through hands-on instruction from
the surgeons who helped develop it, and I’ve been pleased with the results thus far. The
procedure might not be right for everyone, and I still perform ACL surgery in more
traditional ways as well.”
“Commonly seen in athletes, a torn ACL is an injury to a very important ligament that
provides stability to the knee. Surgery is often recommended to replace or “reconstruct”
the permanently damaged ligament. The new “All Inside” technique achieves all the
same goals as traditional ACL surgery, with some potential advantages and benefits.”
“Traditionally, ACL surgery is done through one or two larger incisions on the front and
side of the knee, along with smaller incisions to place an arthroscope, a small fiberoptic
camera, inside the joint. I have used the “All Inside” technique to perform the same
surgery through three small puncture-type incisions.”
“Area athletes and others suffering from ACL injury are welcoming the option, and
several have benefited already. I believe there are several advantages that make this new
procedure appealing to some patients. There is often less initial pain, swelling and
bleeding, due to the use of smaller incisions and less manipulation of the tibia or “shin”
bone. This usually means less pain medication, easier early rehabilitation, andquicker
return to activities such as light work or school. Another advantage is the cosmetic
benefit of smaller puncture incisions resulting in barely visible scars.”
“I would like to stress the the “All Inside” technique does not allow patients to return to
sports or strenuous activity any sooner, and has not yet been shown to have superior longterm outcomes compared with other techniques, but the early results and patient
experiences are very promising.”
Dr. Piller is Fellowship trained in Sports Medicine and Arthroscopic Surgery. He is a
member of the American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine, a fellow of the
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgery, and on the board of directors for the
American Sports Medicine Fellowship Society.
Dr. Piller has over a decade of experience in treating injuries of high school, collegiate
and professional athletes. He has served as assistant team physician for Auburn
University Athletics. He currently is a team physician for the Rome Braves, Berry and
Shorter Colleges, Rome High School and many other schools and organizations.
Dr. Piller’s practice focuses on Sports Medicine and arthroscopic reconstruction of the
knee and shoulder, as well as joint preservation techniques and replacement of the
shoulder, knee and hip. He is one of few surgeons in Northwest Georgia to perform
cartilage transplantation surgery, which requires special certification.
Dr. Piller joined the Harbin Clinic in 2004. He received his Medical Doctorate degree
from Duke University. He completed an orthopaedic surgery residency at the University
of Rochester, in New York, and completed a fellowship in Arthroscopic Surgery and
Orthopaedic Sports Medicine at the American Sports Medicine Institute in Birminham,
Ala. Prior to joining Harbin Clinic, he served as Chief of Orthopaedic Surgery and
Rehabilitation at Maxwell Air Force Base, in Montgomery, Ala. He is board certified by
the American Board of Orthopaedic Surgery.