What is ACL Reconstruction?
ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) reconstruction is a surgical procedure aimed at repairing a torn ACL, which is one of the key ligaments providing stability to the knee joint. This surgery is commonly performed on individuals who have experienced significant knee instability, often due to sports injuries or accidents. Here's a more detailed explanation:
What are the Indications for ACL Reconstruction?
- Instability: Persistent knee instability affecting daily activities or sports.
- High Activity Levels: Individuals engaged in sports or physically demanding jobs.
- Failed Non-Surgical Treatment: When physical therapy and bracing do not provide adequate stability.
- Concurrent Injuries: Presence of other knee injuries, such as meniscal tears.
Types of Grafts
- Autograft: Tissue taken from the patient's own body, such as the patellar tendon, hamstring tendon, or quadriceps tendon.
- Allograft: Donor tissue from a cadaver.
Surgical Procedure
- Preparation: Patient undergoes preoperative assessments and discussions about graft options.
- Anesthesia: General or regional anesthesia is administered.
- Incisions and Arthroscopy: Small incisions are made, and an arthroscope (a small camera) is inserted into the knee.
- Graft Harvesting: If an autograft is used, the tissue is harvested from the patient’s body.
- Torn ACL Removal: The damaged ACL is removed.
- Tunnel Creation: Tunnels are drilled into the femur and tibia.
- Graft Placement: The graft is threaded through the tunnels and secured with screws or other fixation devices.
Risks and Complications
- Infection
- Blood clots
- Graft failure or re-tear
- Knee stiffness or loss of motion
- Chronic knee pain
6 Weeks Post Surgery Patient Running Jumping
