ACL Reconstruction

ACL surgery is a repair or reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) performed using minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques. In ACL reconstruction surgery, a new ACL is made, usually of a tissue graft from the patient's own hamstring, quadriceps. A completely torn ACL cannot heal on its own, however, for some patients who experience a partial tear of the ACL, the ligament may heal on its own without the surgery.

During the surgery:

The surgery is usually performed under spinal or regional anesthesia. The surgery is done using an arthroscope, a pencil-sized optic device connected to a video camera, allowing the surgeon to observe all his moves on the screen. Small incisions (0.5-cm to 1-cm-long) are used. A somewhat larger incision is needed, however, to obtain the tissue graft. The arthroscope is inserted into the joint through incision. The joint is inspected and the necessary diagnostic or treatment procedures are done. Then, the arthroscope is taken out and the surgical wounds are sutured and bandaged with sterile bandages with antiseptics.

After the surgery:

After the surgery, cold applications may be used, symptomatic treatment with analgesics or preventive treatment with antibiotics may be prescribed, and, at times, the fluid accumulated in the tissues surrounding the operated joint might be extracted with a syringe.

Patients can walk with crutches and a leg brace on the day of surgery. Very soon after surgery, the patient starts a rehabilitation to restore strength, stability and range of motion to the knee.

It usually takes about 6-9 months for a patient to return to active and intensive sports after an ACL reconstruction or repair, depending on the type of activity.