The bones of joints are held together by ligaments. You will find the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) at the center of your knee. Its purpose is to keep your shin bone from shifting forward on your thigh bone.
If you tear your ACL, your knee may give out while you are engaged in physical activity. If you dont have this treated, your knee may give out time and again. This can cause early arthritis as well as damage to the cartilage.
You can have this torn ligament replaced with ACL reconstruction. This surgery replaces your damaged ligament with a new ligament. Your surgeon could get a new ligament from you (autograft) or from a deceased donor (allograft).
An autograft is usually taken from the hamstring or the patellar tendon (front of the knee) of the patient.
Both types of grafts are good. There are different pluses and minuses to each. Be sure to discuss these with your doctor.
Click here for more on ACL injury .
Arthroscopy is the procedure that is usually used for ACL reconstruction. Although this type of surgery can be done using a variety of types of anesthesia, you will probably receive general anesthesia. This will let you sleep through the whole thing.
When arthroscopy is used, your surgeon will have a clear view of the inside of your knee. He or she will make one small incision to insert a tiny camera into the knee chamber. This camera will send a picture of the interior structure of the knee to a video monitor. In this way, your surgeon can see and repair any problems in the knee at the same time that he or she attends to your ACL damage.
In addition to the poke-hole made to insert the camera, you will have a few other incisions. If you are using an autograft, there will be one larger incision made to access the tissue. A few smaller incisions will be made around your knee to access the damaged ligament and replace it with new ligament. Bone tunnels will be created to place the new ligament perfectly, and it will then be fastened in place with screws or other appropriate fasteners.
Once the surgery is complete, your incisions will be cared for and your knee will be dressed. You will wake up from the anesthesia, and watch a movie of your knee surgery with your surgeon. At this time, your surgeon can share the findings with you, and you can ask any questions you may have.
If you tear your ACL, your knee may give out while you are engaged in physical activity. If you dont have this treated, your knee may give out time and again. This can cause early arthritis as well as damage to the cartilage.
You can have this torn ligament replaced with ACL reconstruction. This surgery replaces your damaged ligament with a new ligament. Your surgeon could get a new ligament from you (autograft) or from a deceased donor (allograft).
An autograft is usually taken from the hamstring or the patellar tendon (front of the knee) of the patient.
Both types of grafts are good. There are different pluses and minuses to each. Be sure to discuss these with your doctor.
Click here for more on ACL injury .
Arthroscopy is the procedure that is usually used for ACL reconstruction. Although this type of surgery can be done using a variety of types of anesthesia, you will probably receive general anesthesia. This will let you sleep through the whole thing.
When arthroscopy is used, your surgeon will have a clear view of the inside of your knee. He or she will make one small incision to insert a tiny camera into the knee chamber. This camera will send a picture of the interior structure of the knee to a video monitor. In this way, your surgeon can see and repair any problems in the knee at the same time that he or she attends to your ACL damage.
In addition to the poke-hole made to insert the camera, you will have a few other incisions. If you are using an autograft, there will be one larger incision made to access the tissue. A few smaller incisions will be made around your knee to access the damaged ligament and replace it with new ligament. Bone tunnels will be created to place the new ligament perfectly, and it will then be fastened in place with screws or other appropriate fasteners.
Once the surgery is complete, your incisions will be cared for and your knee will be dressed. You will wake up from the anesthesia, and watch a movie of your knee surgery with your surgeon. At this time, your surgeon can share the findings with you, and you can ask any questions you may have.
About the Author:
Dr. Edelson is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon specializing in sports medicine. His clinic, Sports Medicine Oregon, focuses on athletes of all ages. Click here to learn more about Dr. Edelson, Oregon ACL Tears and Oregon Knee Surgery.
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