At a Glance:
What is anterior cruciate ligament?
What is (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) ACL injury?
What are the symptoms of an ACL tear?
What are the ACL injury treatments available? What are the types of ACL surgery grafts?
What is Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery?
How is the arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery performed?
What is the recovery time for ACL reconstruction surgery?
What are the factors affecting the cost of ACL reconstruction surgery?
Knee joint is the bony structure of the knee in the form of a hinge that connects the 3 bones namely the femur (thigh bone), tibia (leg bone), and patella (knee cap). These bones within the knee joint are held together by four cruciate ligaments namely anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), medial collateral ligament (MCL) and lateral collateral ligament (LCL).
The ACL amongst these is the main stabilizing ligament that connects the femur to the tibia through the centre of the knee. This is one of the bands of tissue that holds the bones together within the knee. It also helps to keep the knee stable. The main function of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is to prevent the leg bone from slipping anteriorly. ACL is vital for maintaining stability in physical activities like stepping, jumping etc.
An ACL injury is a sprain or tear of the anterior cruciate ligament which is a most commonly seen sports injury in athletes and sportsperson involved in tennis, basketball, football etc.
The ACL is susceptible to injuries during intense physical activities and sports. Like, other sports injuries, some of the common reasons for ACL injuries include:
Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament may be accompanied with a “popping” noise with a feeling of buckling or knee giving out from under. Some other associated symptoms include:
ACL injuries are usually treated by an orthopaedic surgeon. The diagnosis is done by:
A) Medical history and physical examination
The orthopaedic surgeon takes a complete medical history, details of symptoms and performs the physical examination of the knee.
B) Imaging Tests
The orthopaedic surgeon may want to confirm the diagnosis with imaging tests like:
The treatment for an ACL injury depends on various factors like age, medical condition and activity level of a person. As an example, in case of an ACL injury in a person who is engaged in high-intensity activities like sports may need to undergo arthroscopic ACL reconstruction procedure for early return to routine activities. The treatment options are usually:
Even though a torn ACL may not heal without surgical intervention, A nonsurgical treatment may be considered in elderly persons or those with very low activity level. The orthopaedic surgeon may recommend simple, nonsurgical options in persons unfit to undergo surgery or in cases where the stability of the knee is not lost. Some of these nonoperative treatments are:
In arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery is a procedure wherein the surgeons make small incisions and use an arthroscope to replace or repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Arthroscopic surgery is beneficial because it is less invasive and thus offers the following benefits:
The surgery is done under anaesthesia. The surgical procedure takes around one to one-and-a-half hours (60 – 90 minutes).
A progressive physical therapy post ACL surgery is important for muscle strengthening and restoring flexibility. Post-surgery, a physical therapist advises exercises to be done under supervision or at home. It is advisable to adhere to the rehabilitation plan for the best outcomes and quicker recovery. While crutches to walk may be required for a couple of days to two weeks, full recovery generally takes about nine to 12 months or sometimes more before a person can return to complete normalcy and routine physical activities.
The cost of ACL reconstruction surgery depends on many factors like:
The Center for Orthopaedics at Yashoda hospital provides comprehensive orthopaedic care with scientific evidence based latest treatment regimens and technology. The team is led by internationally acclaimed best orthopaedic surgeons, trained nursing staff, medical & rehabilitative specialists, occupational and physical therapists. The orthopaedic centre also houses a state of art physiotherapy department to provide rehabilitative support.
About Author –
Dr. Shashi Kanth G, Sr. Consultant Orthopedic Surgeon, Yashoda Hospitals, Hyderabad
He is specialized in arthroscopy, sports medicine, and orthopedics. His expertise includes Lower Limb Joint Replacement Surgery, Lower Limb Arthroscopy, Sports Injuries, Foot and Ankle Surgery, & Management of Complex Trauma.
Heart failure, also called congestive heart failure, is a condition that arises when the muscles…
Percutaneous Transluminal Coronary Angioplasty, or PTCA, is a minimally invasive surgery that opens blocked or…
Ankle ligaments are crucial cords that link foot bones to lower leg bones, ensuring stability…
Supermarkets today are flooded with a variety of cooking oils, each with different characteristics, such…
మాట్లాడటానికి, తినటానికి మరియు ముఖం అందంగా కనిపించటానికి నోరే కీలకం. శరీర పోషణకు అవసరమైన ఆహారం, పానీయాలు లోపలికి చేరేది…
అండాశయ తిత్తులు అనేవి అండాశయాల లోపల లేదా వాటి ఉపరితలంపై ద్రవంతో నిండిన సంచి లాంటి నిర్మాణాలు. ఆడవారికి రెండు…