Arthroscopic Anatomical ACL Reconstruction
During the past decade, the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) has become a familiar term. The ACL is the main stabilizer of the knee joint during abrupt change in direction. With the increase in sports participation, injury to the ACL has become one of the most common sports injuries.
The operative treatment has evolved from open procedures to arthroscopically performed outpatient procedures with early weight bearing.
What happens if the ACL is torn?
The knee becomes unstable while abruptly changing direction. Many authors have stated that the ACL injury is career ending for the athletes. Ireland calls this a "heart attack of the knee."
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Why does the ACL fail to heal?
Unlike other ligaments about the joint, the ACL passes through the joint and is surrounded by joint fluid. Other ligaments heal by scar formation This fluid is designed to dissolve and prevent blood clotting within the joint.
Without blood clot, scar tissue does not form. The result is that the ACL rarely heals in continuity.
Is there any long term effect on the joint because of the torn ACL?
There is an increased risk of meniscal and cartilage injury after ACL injury. With time the knee with torn ACL will embark on a course of progressive degeneration leading to early arthritis.
Hence, until surgery it is advisable to wear some sort of knee brace to protect and stabilize the knee joint
What is the treatment for the torn ACL?
The ACL will not heal itself and it is not possible to repair a torn ACL. Hence, an alternative tissue (graft) must be used to replace it. There are 3 main types of grafts available:
A) Using the patient's own tissues (auto graft), B) Using another person's tissue (allograft) and C) Using artificial material such as LARS. Using the patient's own tissue is by far the preferred way to reconstruct the torn AC.
The operative treatment has evolved from open procedures to Key – Hole technique. Key-hole technique is more beneficial because of small incision, less bleeding & pain and faster recovery after surgery.
What are the graft options available & which is more ideal? Why?
Bone patellar tendon and hamstrings tendons are the two graft options available for reconstructing the ACL.
Hamstrings graft is ideal because the knee pain while kneeling down, patella fracture and patello-femoral arthritis are some of the worried problems associated with bone patellar tendon graft.
What are the expected results after ACL reconstruction?
The results after ACL reconstruction are quite pleasing as it is one of the operative procedures with very positive outcome.
Patients who were into sports and discontinued playing because of ACL injury can eventually go back to sports and have a normal knee function and sports career after ACL reconstruction.
One can jump, run and do day to day activities like a normal person without any restrictions.
For further more details, contact Dr.Raj Kanna has a best experience in ACL reconstruction surgery of affordable cost in Chennai.
