The Facts About ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) Reconstruction
A tear in the anterior cruciate ligament can be very painful to your knee. If this happens, you will probably be considered as a candidate for ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstructive surgery. In this operation, your torn or damaged tissue will be replaced with new tissue.
You may wonder where this tissue will come from. There are a couple of ways to get tissue for an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction. One way is to take the tissue from the patients body. This is called an autograft. The tissue is usually taken from the hamstring or the patellar tendon. This is the tendon at the front of the knee.
You may also receive tissue that has been taken from a cadaver (dead person). This is called an allograft.
There are good and bad points about each choice. Your surgeon will talk with you about the options and help you decide which would work best in your situation.
Arthroscopy is usually used when performing ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction. In this type of surgery, a small incision called a poke-hole is created to allow the surgeon to insert a very small camera into the knee. This lets the surgeon see the condition of the interior of your knee.
The surgeon will not only look at the damage that is scheduled for surgery. He or she will also troubleshoot and deal with any other damage that may be present at the time of your surgery.
Several types of anesthesia are used for arthroscopic knee surgery, but you will probably receive general anesthetic. This will allow you to sleep during the surgery. While you are sleeping, your surgeon will replace your ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).
Click here for more on ACL Reconstructive Surgery.
Small incisions will be made around your knee so that your surgeon can get your new ligaments into just the right places. A bone shaver or other instrument will be used to remove your damaged ligament. If you will be using your own tissues to replace the damaged tissues, your surgeon will make a larger incision in order to access it.
Your surgeon will create bone tunnels to be used in placing the new ligament in the exact location of the old ligament. Once the bone tunnel is in place, your new ligament will be positioned and attached to the bone with screws or some other form of fastener. This will hold the ligament in its proper place. At the end of surgery, your surgeon will close your incisions and apply a bandage.
One advantage of arthroscopy is that your surgeon can create a complete and accurate video record of the procedure and review it with you afterwards. You will be able to watch the surgery on a video monitor and talk with the surgeon about any questions or concerns you may have.
If you have unstable knees, pain in your knees, or your knee gives out on you unexpectedly, you may be referred for ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction. Additionally, if you are simply unable to play sports and/or participate in ADL (activities of daily living), ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction may be the answer for you.
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks involved. Excessive bleeding, nerve damage and infection occasionally occur. Patients also report weak knees and pain and stiffness in the knees. Sometimes, the surgery does not resolve the symptoms. Occasionally, the ligament does not heal. - 17268
You may wonder where this tissue will come from. There are a couple of ways to get tissue for an ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction. One way is to take the tissue from the patients body. This is called an autograft. The tissue is usually taken from the hamstring or the patellar tendon. This is the tendon at the front of the knee.
You may also receive tissue that has been taken from a cadaver (dead person). This is called an allograft.
There are good and bad points about each choice. Your surgeon will talk with you about the options and help you decide which would work best in your situation.
Arthroscopy is usually used when performing ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction. In this type of surgery, a small incision called a poke-hole is created to allow the surgeon to insert a very small camera into the knee. This lets the surgeon see the condition of the interior of your knee.
The surgeon will not only look at the damage that is scheduled for surgery. He or she will also troubleshoot and deal with any other damage that may be present at the time of your surgery.
Several types of anesthesia are used for arthroscopic knee surgery, but you will probably receive general anesthetic. This will allow you to sleep during the surgery. While you are sleeping, your surgeon will replace your ACL (anterior cruciate ligament).
Click here for more on ACL Reconstructive Surgery.
Small incisions will be made around your knee so that your surgeon can get your new ligaments into just the right places. A bone shaver or other instrument will be used to remove your damaged ligament. If you will be using your own tissues to replace the damaged tissues, your surgeon will make a larger incision in order to access it.
Your surgeon will create bone tunnels to be used in placing the new ligament in the exact location of the old ligament. Once the bone tunnel is in place, your new ligament will be positioned and attached to the bone with screws or some other form of fastener. This will hold the ligament in its proper place. At the end of surgery, your surgeon will close your incisions and apply a bandage.
One advantage of arthroscopy is that your surgeon can create a complete and accurate video record of the procedure and review it with you afterwards. You will be able to watch the surgery on a video monitor and talk with the surgeon about any questions or concerns you may have.
If you have unstable knees, pain in your knees, or your knee gives out on you unexpectedly, you may be referred for ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction. Additionally, if you are simply unable to play sports and/or participate in ADL (activities of daily living), ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction may be the answer for you.
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks involved. Excessive bleeding, nerve damage and infection occasionally occur. Patients also report weak knees and pain and stiffness in the knees. Sometimes, the surgery does not resolve the symptoms. Occasionally, the ligament does not heal. - 17268
About the Author:
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 Orthopedic Surgery and Portland Shoulder Doctor.
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4:45 AM
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