Anterior Cruciate Ligament
Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction is surgery to replace a torn ACL — a major ligament in your knee. ACL injuries most commonly occur during sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction, such as soccer, football, basketball, and volleyball.
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ACL operation
ACL operation 2
ACL operation 4
ACL injuries most commonly occur during sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction — such as soccer, football, basketball and volleyball.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Ligaments are strong bands of tissue that attach one bone to another bone. During ACL reconstruction, the torn ligament is removed and replaced with a band of tissue that usually connects muscle to bone (tendon). The graft tendon is taken from another part of your knee or from a deceased donor.
How?
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament — one of two ligaments that crosses the middle of the knee — connects your thigh bone to your shin bone, and helps stabilize your knee joint.
A course of physical therapy may successfully treat an ACL injury for people who are relatively inactive, engage in moderate exercise and recreational activities, or play sports that put less stress on the knees.
Why?
ACL reconstruction is recommended if:
• You’re an athlete and want to continue in your sport, especially if the sport involves jumping, cutting or pivoting
• More than one ligament is injured
• You have a torn meniscus that requires repair
• Your knee is buckling during everyday activities
• You’re young (though other factors, such as activity level and knee instability, are more important than age)
Risks
Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction is a surgical procedure, so bleeding and infection at the surgical site are potential risks. Other risks associated with ACL reconstruction include:
- Knee pain or stiffness
- Poor healing of the graft
- Graft failure after returning to sport
How do I prepare for ACL reconstruction?
Before your surgery, you’ll likely undergo several weeks of physical therapy. The goal before surgery is to reduce pain and swelling, restore your knee’s full range of motion, and strengthen muscles. People who go into surgery with a stiff, swollen knee may not regain full range of motion after surgery.
ACL reconstruction is an outpatient procedure, so you’ll be able to go home the same day. You will need to arrange for someone to drive you home.
This video shows the anatomy of the knee and explains an ACL Reconstruction Procedure.
Surgical Procedure
Anesthesia
General anesthesia is typically used during Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction, so you’ll be unconscious during the procedure.
ACL reconstruction is usually done through small incisions — one to hold a thin, tube-like video camera, and others to allow surgical instruments access to the joint space.
Procedure
Mr Al-Khateeb will remove your damaged ligament and replace it with a segment of tendon. This replacement tissue is called a graft and it comes from another part of your knee or a tendon from a deceased donor.
He will drill sockets or tunnels into your thighbone and shinbone to accurately position the graft, which is then secured to your bones with screws or other devices. The graft will serve as scaffolding on which new ligament tissue can grow.
Results
Successful ACL reconstruction paired with focused rehabilitation can usually restore stability and function to your knee.
Within the first few weeks after surgery, you should strive to regain a range of motion equal to that of your opposite knee.
Recovery from Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction generally takes about nine months.
The video below show Dr Al-Khateeb performing ACL surgery.
Recovery
General anesthesia is typically used during Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction, so you’ll be unconscious during the procedure.
ACL reconstruction is usually done through small incisions — one to hold a thin, tube-like video camera, and others to allow surgical instruments access to the joint space.
In the video below you can see a patient who is one week post ACL surgery.
Pain management
Dr Al-Khateeb will give you specific instructions on how to control swelling and pain after surgery. In general, it’s important to keep your leg elevated, apply a cold wrap or ice to your knee, and rest as much as possible.
Medications to help with pain relief include over-the-counter drugs such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen or naproxen sodium. He might prescribe stronger medications, such as meloxicam (Mobic), tramadol or oxycodone
Physical therapy
Progressive physical therapy after ACL surgery helps to strengthen the muscles around your knee and improve flexibility.
A physiotherapist will teach you how to do exercises that you will perform either with continued supervision or at home.
Following the rehabilitation plan is important for proper healing and achieving the best possible outcomes.
Address
Clemenceau Medical Center Hospital, Dubai