Many people who have suffered from a knee injury consider having knee surgery as an option to repair or replace the knee. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the structure that keeps the tibia (shin bone) in position. A tear or chronic damage to this ligament can result in the knee giving way during physical activity. There are some very good reasons to have the knee surgery to reconstruct the ACL. The inability to move the knee and chronic pain can be debilitating.
Reasons for ACL Reconstruction
Before you choose this surgery, you need to understand that there will be considerable time and effort involved in the recovery process. If an ACL tear is not treated, it could lead to instability during physical activity. ACL reconstruction is recommended for those who have a tear and:
- Chronic knee pain
- Inability to continue physical activities
- Knee gives way and is unstable
Before you choose this surgery, you need to understand that there will be considerable time and effort involved in the recovery process. It could take up to six months before you will be able to return to full activity. The success of your ACL reconstruction depends on how much you participate during the rehabilitation stage and the expertise of your Los Angeles orthopedic surgeon.
The ACL Reconstruction Procedure
Most patients receive general anesthesia before the procedure. This means you will be asleep during the surgery and not feel any pain. The tissue used to replace the damaged ACL comes from your own body or a donor. The tissue from your own body is called an autograft, and it most likely comes from the knee cap tendon or hamstring tendon. The tissue that comes from a donor is called an allograft.
During the procedure, the orthopedic surgeon Beverly Hills uses a tiny camera (an arthroscope) to view the inside of your knee. This device is inserted through a tiny surgical cut.
The surgeon can use a TV monitor to view the inside of the knee to make necessary repairs. The torn ligament is removed and the new tissue is replaced, attached to the bone with screws or other devices to hold it in place. At the end of the surgery, the surgeon closes the incision with sutures (stitches) and applies a clean bandage.
Complications
Unfortunately, there are times when surgical complications can arise. Infection is one of the complications of ACL reconstruction. The fact is that only about 0.2 percent to about 0.48 percent of patients actually have infection problems. Other complications include bleeding, numbness, and blood clots. These are very unusual.
