ACL Injury and Treatment Options
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is located around your knee. It prevents the shin bone from moving forward over the thigh bone. If it tears, it can be instantly painful and can lead to structural damage.
If your ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is torn, your knee might give out when you are physically active. This is a danger in itself. If it happens too often, your cartilage will be damaged, and you will experience early arthritis.
You can have this torn ligament replaced with ACL reconstruction. This surgery replaces your damaged ligament with a new ligament. Your surgeon could get a new ligament from you (autograft) or from a deceased donor (allograft).
An autograft is usually taken from the hamstring or the patellar tendon (front of the knee) of the patient.
Both types of grafts are good. There are different pluses and minuses to each. Be sure to discuss these with your doctor.
Click here for more on ACL tear surgery.
Your surgeon will probably use arthroscopy to perform your ACL reconstruction. This type of surgery is usually done using general anesthesia.
When arthroscopy is used, your surgeon will have a clear view of the inside of your knee. He or she will make one small incision to insert a tiny camera into the knee chamber. This camera will send a picture of the interior structure of the knee to a video monitor. In this way, your surgeon can see and repair any problems in the knee at the same time that he or she attends to your ACL damage.
In addition to the poke-hole made to insert the camera, you will have a few other incisions. If you are using an autograft, there will be one larger incision made to access the tissue. A few smaller incisions will be made around your knee to access the damaged ligament and replace it with new ligament. Bone tunnels will be created to place the new ligament perfectly, and it will then be fastened in place with screws or other appropriate fasteners.
Once the surgery is complete, your incisions will be cared for and your knee will be dressed. You will wake up from the anesthesia, and watch a movie of your knee surgery with your surgeon. At this time, your surgeon can share the findings with you, and you can ask any questions you may have.
Dr. Edelson is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in sports medicine. His clinic, Sports Medicine Oregon, focuses on athletes of all ages. Click here to learn more about Dr. Edelson, Portland Rotator Cuff Surgery and Athletes Surgery in Portland.
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