What You Should Know About ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) Reconstruction
Posted on September 22, 2009
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When you tear the anterior cruciate ligament in your knee, your doctor will probably recommend ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) Reconstruction surgery. When this is the case, it is important that you understand that the tissue to be used in your surgery can come from a variety of sources.
There are two sources of tissue for ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction. One is called autograft. With this option, tissue is taken from the patients own body. The new tissue usually comes from the patellar tendon or the hamstring.
Another option is to receive an allograft. This is a graft of tissue harvested from a deceased person.
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.
ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is usually performed using arthroscopy. This is a type of surgery that utilizes a miniature camera to image the interior of the knee. The camera is introduced into the knee chamber via a poke-hole or small incision. This method lets the surgeon get a clear view of the knee chamber.
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 that will allow the new ligament to be placed in exactly the same position as the old ligaments. Screws or other surgical fasteners will be used to secure the ligaments into their proper positions. When the surgery is done, your surgeon will place a dressing on your knee.
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.
Complications are rare with this type of surgery; however, they do exist. Some things to keep in mind are the possibility of: Failure to heal, failure to relieve symptoms, stiffness and pain in the knees, continued weakness in the knees, infection at the site of the surgery, nerve damage, and bleeding.
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