![acl knee acl knee](https://www.knee-pain-explained.com/images/acl-knee-injury.jpg)
You will have pain medication by tablet or in a drip (Intravenous).Īny drains will be removed from the knee. Surgery is performed as a day only procedure or an overnight stay. The wounds then closed often with a drain and a dressing applied. The rest of the knee can be clearly visualized at the same time and any other damage is dealt with e.g., meniscal tears. The new tendon is then fixed into the bone with various devices to hold it into place while the ligament heals into the bone (usually 6 months). The graft is prepared to take the form of a new tendon and passed through the drill holes in the bone. There are advantages & disadvantages of each with the final decision based on surgeons preference. This graft which replaces your old ACL is taken either from the hamstring tendon or the patella tendon. The ruptured ligament is removed and then tunnels (holes) in the bone are drilled to accept the new graft. The surgery is performed arthroscopically. Surgical techniques have improved significantly over the last decade, complications are reduced and recovery much quicker than in the past. It is advisable to have physiotherapy prior to surgery to regain motion and strengthen the muscles as much as possible.
![acl knee acl knee](https://www.verywellhealth.com/thmb/BiVENPyE8ldImPE87yE4GrDPX7M=/3000x2000/filters:no_upscale():max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/acl-surgery-rehab-exercises-3120748_final-2ceab43f9f984e6c84fbaf9d63046546.jpg)
People with dangerous occupations e.g., Policemen, firemen, roofers, scaffoulders. Sports involving twisting activities e.g., Soccer, netball, football Giving way with activities of daily living. Young patients wishing to maintain an active lifestyle. Episodes of instability can cause further damage to important structures within the knee that may result in early arthritis.It is strongly advised to give up sports involving twisting activities, if you have an ACL injury. Some people can compensate for the injured ligament with strengthening exercises or a brace. The diagnoses can often be made on the history alone.Įxamination reveals instability of the knee, if adequately relaxed or not too painful.Īn MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) can be helpful if there is doubt as well as to look for damage to other structures within the knee.Īt times the final diagnoses can only be made under anaesthetic or with an Arthroscopy. This usually occurs with running activities but can occur on simple walking or other activities of daily living. Once the initial injury settles down the main symptom is instability or giving away of the knee. It is rare to be able to continue playing sport with the initial injury.There is often the feeling of the knee popping out of joint.Often there is a popping sound when the ligament ruptures.It can occurs with a sudden change of direction, a direct blow e.g., a tackle, landing awkwardly.
![acl knee acl knee](https://www.athletico.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/10/Vector-illustration-of-a-healthy-knee-joint-with-intact-partial-tear-of-anterior-cruciate-ligament-and-complete-tear-of-ACL-Converted.png)
![acl knee acl knee](https://www.biaphysio.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/07/Torn-ACL-pic.png)
It is a strong rope like structure located in the centre of the knee running from the femur to the tibia. The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the major stabilizing ligaments in the knee.