Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Treating the Knee with Surgery
ACL Reconstruction: An Overview
The knee is stabilized by the ACL. It is often torn because of the location of the ligament and the fact that external forces are often exerted on it by activities causing damage. Each individual makes the choice of how to treat damage to the ACL.
The choice is based on factors such as the extent of damage to the rest of the knee structure, the knees stability, the activity level and age of the patient. If the patient will be able to return to the pre-injury activity level, surgery is usually recommended.
ACL reconstruction can stabilize the knee and prevent further damage to the articular cartilage and the cartilage cushions, known as the menisci. It can also help in preventing premature knee deterioration.
Without exception, ACL reconstruction is performed arthroscopically. I personally prefer to use an autograft-tissue graft. Autograft is a graft harvested from the patient. An allograft, which is harvested from a cadaver is another possibility.
I think that using the patients own tissue results in a more successful reconstruction that yields better long term results. Specifically, I believe that by using the patients own tissue, ACL re-injury rates are lowered. Interestingly, there have been two scientific studies conducted in the past few years that indicate a high failure rate - ten to twenty-five percent - if a young patient (under 25) receives allograft tissue and also participates in an aggressive program of rehabilitation.
Click here to learn more about knee arthroscopy.
My preference is to use a Patellar Tendon Autograft combined with interference screw fixation when dealing with patients under thirty years of age who do not have any underlying patellofemoral disease. I also prefer Hamstring Autograft (semitendinosis and gracilis combined) using rigid extra-articular fixation (Rapid Loc or Toggle Loc) on the femur along with a Washer Loc on the tibia.
If the patient is under age 25, I have been known to use an allograft as long as the patient guarantees he will not engage in aggressive, competitive sports for a full year following the surgery. This period of time gives the allograft a chance to heal. Also, I will use allografts when there is more than one ligament that needs to be reconstructed.
The ACL acts to provide stability for the knee and to keep stress at a minimum across the knee joint:
The ACL prevents an excess of forward movement of the tibia (lower bone of the leg) in relation to the femur (thigh bone).
Excessive knee rotation is also kept under control by the ACL.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Stefan Tarlow, a leading Phoenix Knee Doctor. - 17268
The knee is stabilized by the ACL. It is often torn because of the location of the ligament and the fact that external forces are often exerted on it by activities causing damage. Each individual makes the choice of how to treat damage to the ACL.
The choice is based on factors such as the extent of damage to the rest of the knee structure, the knees stability, the activity level and age of the patient. If the patient will be able to return to the pre-injury activity level, surgery is usually recommended.
ACL reconstruction can stabilize the knee and prevent further damage to the articular cartilage and the cartilage cushions, known as the menisci. It can also help in preventing premature knee deterioration.
Without exception, ACL reconstruction is performed arthroscopically. I personally prefer to use an autograft-tissue graft. Autograft is a graft harvested from the patient. An allograft, which is harvested from a cadaver is another possibility.
I think that using the patients own tissue results in a more successful reconstruction that yields better long term results. Specifically, I believe that by using the patients own tissue, ACL re-injury rates are lowered. Interestingly, there have been two scientific studies conducted in the past few years that indicate a high failure rate - ten to twenty-five percent - if a young patient (under 25) receives allograft tissue and also participates in an aggressive program of rehabilitation.
Click here to learn more about knee arthroscopy.
My preference is to use a Patellar Tendon Autograft combined with interference screw fixation when dealing with patients under thirty years of age who do not have any underlying patellofemoral disease. I also prefer Hamstring Autograft (semitendinosis and gracilis combined) using rigid extra-articular fixation (Rapid Loc or Toggle Loc) on the femur along with a Washer Loc on the tibia.
If the patient is under age 25, I have been known to use an allograft as long as the patient guarantees he will not engage in aggressive, competitive sports for a full year following the surgery. This period of time gives the allograft a chance to heal. Also, I will use allografts when there is more than one ligament that needs to be reconstructed.
The ACL acts to provide stability for the knee and to keep stress at a minimum across the knee joint:
The ACL prevents an excess of forward movement of the tibia (lower bone of the leg) in relation to the femur (thigh bone).
Excessive knee rotation is also kept under control by the ACL.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Stefan Tarlow, a leading Phoenix Knee Doctor. - 17268
About the Author:
Dr. Tarlow is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 20 years specializing in knee surgery. He opened his own clinic, Advanced Knee Care, with a focus on specialty patient care. Click here to learn more about Dr. Tarlow, Phoenix knee surgeons and Phoenix-area Knee Arthroscopy.
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5:54 AM
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