ACL Reconstruction: Purpose, Procedure, and Benefits and Side Effects

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is, in the main, a surgical procedure that is predominantly designed to restore knee strength and stability after the ligament is damaged or torn.

It must be noted that the ACL is one of the main ligaments of the knee joint and is crucial in enabling the knee to bear weight and also preventing over rotation of the knee joint. In other words, it is the most significant stability restraint for the knee joint.nIt is essentially a rope-like ligament that passes from the bottom of the knee to the top of the leg. The ACL gives the knee its structure and needs to be strong, healthy, and flexible in order to provide a stable knee joint.

The anterior cruciate ligament is also involved in most injuries to the knee, and damage can occur in both non-contact and contact situations. Moreover, the reconstruction of the ACL is required when a ligament is torn in a way that it can't be treated by other methods or remedies.

In most cases, this condition stems from trauma or injury and can affect anyone at any age. However, ACL reconstruction surgery is especially suggested for athletes and active people who have an injury or tear in the anterior cruciate ligament.

ACL injuries are common among athletes, especially in contact sports like soccer, basketball, and football. These injuries or the damage caused by them can range from a complete tear to a partial or fragmentary tear. Moreover, ACL reconstruction can be an effective surgical treatment for serious ACL injuries.n

ACL reconstruction has as many as three different methods in total. Each of these methods is carried out keeping in mind the severity of the ligament damage.nWhat happens in an ACL reconstruction is that the doctor replaces your torn ACL with a tendon. It must be mentioned that a tendon is a connective tissue in your body that essentially connects muscle to bone.n

The predominant aim of ACL reconstruction is to get your knee stable and help it have the full range of motion that it had before the injury or damage.n

A tendon that is put into the knee during ACL reconstruction is commonly known as a graft. All types of grafts that can be used in ACL surgery are named and defined as follows:

In this method of ACL reconstruction, the surgeon uses a tendon from some other part of the patient's body, such as their other knee, thigh, or hamstring.

This method involves using tissue from someone else's body, typically a deceased person (donor).

This is when the tendon is replaced with artificial materials. Silk and silver fibers were among the first materials used in this method at the beginning of the 20th century AD. However, there are more advanced options or better materials available at present. These materials include carbon fiber and Teflon.nIt must be mentioned that researchers are still trying to find the best material that can be used for the purpose of ACL replacement.

• Your knee can return to its normal functioningn
• This surgery can allow you to return to your forsaken sport or even other physical activities in which a stable knee is neededn
• It can protect you from any future damage that may result from your current conditionn
• ACL reconstruction can ensure long-term knee health for youn
• You can get rid of chronic knee pain that may have been adversely affecting the quality of your life for a long time

ACL reconstruction surgery is an option for people with a torn or damaged anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The ACL can be defined as a strong or well-built band of tissue through which the shinbone is connected to the thigh bone. It essentially helps keep the knee stable.n

An ACL injury is known to be one of the most common sports injuries. Athletes who suffer ACL injuries often require surgery to reconstruct or fix the knee ligament. ACL reconstruction surgery is a complicated procedure in which the torn ACL is removed and replaced with a graft.n

The operation can be carried out using a graft (a piece of tissue taken from elsewhere in your body) or an artificial ligament.n

Anterior cruciate ligament damage or injuries have become very common and are rife nowadays. In fact, the number of cases of these kinds of injuries has seen a significant spike in recent times. nThis is probably due to more intense participation in sports such as football and soccer. ACL injuries are also more common among females. ACL tears are almost always caused by trauma.

Like any other surgical procedure, ACL reconstruction also carries certain risks, which include:n

• Blood clots and (excessive) bleedingn
• Disease transmission is possible if the graft comes from a deceased donor (rare)n
• Knee stiffness or weaknessn
• Constant knee painn
• Infectionn
• Permanent loss of motion rangen
• Bad healing if the graft is rejected by your body or immune system

First and foremost, you will most likely have a number of appointments with your surgeon or healthcare provider before surgery. At these meetings, treatment options will be discussed, knee examinations will be performed, and a decision about which type of anesthesia to use during surgery will be made.n

The most important thing you should do during these meetings is to clear up all your doubts regarding the surgery and keep everything as clear as crystal. Apart from that, a question that you must ask your healthcare provider is about where the tendon will come from.n

You should also know that some typical and common kinds of tendons include:n

• Patellar tendonn
• Hamstringn
• Quadricepsn
• Cadaver

Furthermore, it must be mentioned that all cadavers are very carefully screened for any disease before surgery. However, some people are just skeptical or not comfortable about putting dead tissue to use. So, if you are also one of those people, you must discuss all your concerns with your doctor.nYou will get all the important instructions or suggestions for the day of your surgery from your healthcare provider. These instructions may include fasting for several (mostly 6 to 12) hours before surgery and refraining from painkillers or blood-thinning medications.

Also, make sure that you have someone accompanying you to the hospital for surgery. It can be very helpful and advantageous to have another person listen to the postoperative instructions. The friend or companion will also drive you safely back home.

You will first have to change into a hospital gown after finally being there for the procedure. The healthcare provider will then fix an intravenous (IV) line to your arm. It will allow the surgical team to administer anesthesia, sedatives, or other necessary medications.As the sample tissue eventually gets selected, it is either removed by surgery or operation from your body or acquired from a deceased donor. Thereafter, the tendon will be outfitted with anchor points or bone plugs in order to graft the tendon into your knee.

A minor cut or incision will be made in the front part of your knee to insert an arthroscope, which is a thin tube with a fiber optic camera and surgical tools attached. This essentially allows the surgical team to see inside your knee during the operation.Then, your torn ACL will be removed and the spot will be cleaned. Small holes will be drilled into your femur and tibia.

These holes are drilled in order to attach the bone plugs with screws, posts, staples, or washers.When the new ligament is successfully attached or installed, your knee’s range of motion will be tested to make sure that the graft is secure. The opening, or incision, will finally be stitched, the wound will be dressed, and the knee will be stabilized with a brace.The length of this surgery may vary depending on the patient's condition as well as the experience and expertise of the surgeon. The procedure may also take more time than usual if some additional procedures, such as meniscal repair, are also performed.

Your doctor may prescribe physical therapy, or prehabilitation, before you undergo ACL reconstruction. Physical therapy may help you in the following ways prior to the surgical procedure:n

• It can reduce swelling in the kneen
• Prehabilitation can strengthen the muscles around your kneen
• It may help restore your knee's normal range of motion as closely as possible

The replacement tissue, called a graft, usually comes from a tendon from a deceased donor or another part of your own knee. Speaking of, some sockets or tunnels will be drilled into your thigh bone and shinbone during the surgical procedure. This will help to position the graft accurately.nAt the end of this surgical procedure, the graft is secured to your bones with the help of screws or other such objects.

You will most likely be striving to gain back a range of motion similar to that of your opposite knee within the first few weeks after the operation (ACL reconstruction). Complete recovery from ACL reconstruction usually takes about nine months.

However, it may take 8 to 12 months, or even more, for an athlete or sportsperson to return to their sport.

The cost of ACL reconstruction surgery in India can be between Rs 1.4 lakh and Rs 1.6 lakh. However, this cost is merely for reference purposes and should not be considered a standard cost. n

The best thing you can do in this regard is to get in touch with our team of experts and get the precise cost of ACL reconstruction in India.

The first thing your health care provider or surgeon may ask you to do after the surgery is to get ample rest as you go home. You may also be told to:n

• Keep your treated leg propped up on a couple of pillowsn
• Take care of the dressing on your knee and don't let it get wetn
• Avoid using a heating padn
• Don't do any strenuous activityn
• Keep your doctor up to date on your progress

• Protein-rich foods such as chicken, eggs, seafood, beans, nuts, etc.n
• Carbohydrates in the form of whole grainsn
• Healthy fats from coconutn
• Olive seeds, oil, and nutsn
• Avoid consuming dairy products, cheese, and sweets

ACL reconstruction is undoubtedly a complex surgical procedure. And, like most other surgical procedures, bleeding and infection at the treatment site are possible risks that are linked with ACL reconstruction. Other risks associated with this surgery include knee pain, stiffness, etc.

However, these risks can be minimized or almost eliminated by having your surgery performed by a skilled or experienced surgeon. So, generally speaking, ACL reconstruction can be deemed a safe and effective surgical procedure.

Like most other surgeries or operations, ACL reconstruction surgery is also not free from pain or certain risks (as mentioned above). However, this pain can be conveniently managed or alleviated by taking some painkillers or other medications prescribed by your healthcare provider.

nThis typically means that your leg will be made numb by your healthcare provider during the (surgical) procedure. Later, you may be given some sleep-inducing medications as well as pain relievers to help you not feel the intensity of the pain.

As already mentioned (above), complete recovery from ACL reconstruction usually takes about nine months. However, it may take 8 to 12 months, or even more, for an athlete or sportsperson to return to their sport after surgery.

• Painn
• Bleedingn
• Blood clotsn
• Infectionn
• Permanent knee painn
• Knee weaknessn
• Stiffness in the kneen
• Loss of range of motion

Note: All the above-mentioned side effects can be greatly minimized or even eliminated if the surgery is carried out by expert doctors or surgeons, such as those available at Pristyn Care.

• Keep your (treated) leg elevated if your knee throbs or swellsn
• Put pillows under your calf muscle and not under your knee to elevate the legn
• You may have to walk on crutches for several months after surgeryn
• Avoid taking frequent showers until the surgical wound healsn
• Do not let your incisions get wet while you take a bathn
• Avoid doing any strenuous activity until you get back to normaln
• Get ample rest and sleepn
• Avoid consuming alcohol or tobacco in any formn
• Consume healthy and nutritious foodsn
• Don't stress out your body or mind and have patience

There are a number of factors that will determine whether an ACL reconstruction is the best course of action for you. It is important that you get the advice and guidance of a professional and experienced knee surgeon who can fully assess your injury, your level of activity, and your knee health before advising you on the best way to proceed. In fact, you can also get in touch with us in this regard, and we assure you that you won't be disappointed!