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ACL reconstruction
Anterior cruciate ligament repair
ACL reconstruction is surgery to reconstruct the ligament in the center of your knee. The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) keeps your shin bone (tibia) in place. A tear of this ligament can cause your knee to give way during physical activity.
Description
Most people have general anesthesia right before surgery. This means you will be asleep and pain-free. Other kinds of anesthesia, like regional anesthesia or a block, may also be used for this surgery.
General anesthesia
General anesthesia is treatment with certain medicines that puts you into a deep sleep so you do not feel pain during surgery. After you receive the...
The tissue to replace your damaged ACL will come from your own body or from a donor. A donor is a person who has died and chose to give all or part of his or her body to help others.
- Tissue taken from your own body is called an autograft. The two most common places to take tissue from are the knee cap tendon or the hamstring tendon. Your hamstring is the muscle behind your knee.
- Tissue taken from a donor is called an allograft.
The procedure is usually performed with the help of knee arthroscopy . With arthroscopy, a tiny camera is inserted into the knee through a small surgical cut. The camera is connected to a video monitor in the operating room. Your surgeon will use the camera to check the ligaments and other tissues of your knee.
Knee arthroscopy
Knee arthroscopy is surgery that uses a tiny camera to look inside your knee. Small cuts are made to insert the camera and small surgical tools into...
Your surgeon will make other small cuts around your knee and insert other medical instruments. Your surgeon will fix any other damage found, and then will replace your ACL by following these steps:
- The torn ligament will be removed with a shaver or other instruments.
- If your own tissue is being used to make your new ACL, your surgeon will make a larger cut. Then, the autograft will be removed through this cut.
- Your surgeon will make tunnels in your bone to bring the new tissue through. This new tissue will be in the same place as your old ACL.
- Your surgeon will attach the new ligament to the bone with screws or other devices to hold it in place. As it heals, the bone tunnels fill in. This holds the new ligament in place.
At the end of the surgery, your surgeon will close your cuts with sutures (stitches) and cover the area with a dressing. You may be able to view pictures after the procedure of what the doctor saw and what was done during the surgery.
Why the Procedure is Performed
If you do not have your ACL reconstructed, your knee may continue to be unstable. This increases the chance you may have a meniscus tear. ACL reconstruction may be used for these knee problems:
- Knee that gives way or feels unstable during daily activities
- Knee pain
- Inability to continue playing sports or other activities
- When other ligaments are also injured
- When your meniscus is torn
Before surgery, talk to your health care provider about the time and effort you will need to recover. You will need to follow a rehabilitation program for 4 to 6 months. Your ability to return to full activity will depend on how well you follow the program.
Risks
The risks from any anesthesia are:
- Allergic reactions to medicines
-
Breathing problems
Breathing problems
Breathing difficulty may involve:Difficult breathingUncomfortable breathingFeeling like you are not getting enough air
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The risks from any surgery are:
-
Bleeding
Bleeding
Bleeding is the loss of blood. Bleeding may be:Inside the body (internally) Outside the body (externally)Bleeding may occur:Inside the body when blo...
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Other risks from this surgery may include:
-
Blood clot
in the leg
Blood clot
Blood clots are clumps that occur when blood hardens from a liquid to a solid. A blood clot that forms inside one of your veins or arteries is calle...
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Failure of the ligament to heal
- Failure of the surgery to relieve symptoms
- Injury to a nearby blood vessel
- Pain in the knee
- Stiffness of the knee or lost range of motion
- Weakness of the knee
Before the Procedure
Always tell your health care provider what drugs you are taking, even drugs, supplements, or herbs you bought without a prescription.
During the 2 weeks before your surgery:
- You may be asked to stop taking drugs that make it harder for your blood to clot. These include aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve), and other drugs.
- Ask your provider which drugs you should still take on the day of your surgery.
-
If you have
diabetes
, heart disease, or other medical conditions, your surgeon will ask you to see the provider who treats you for these conditions.
Diabetes
Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body cannot regulate the amount of sugar in the blood.
Read Article Now Book Mark Article - Tell your provider if you have been drinking a lot of alcohol, more than 1 or 2 drinks a day.
- If you smoke, try to stop. Smoking can slow down wound and bone healing. Ask your providers for help if you need it.
- Always let your provider know about any cold, flu, fever, herpes breakout, or other illnesses you may have before your surgery.
On the day of your surgery:
- You will often be asked not to drink or eat anything for 6 to 12 hours before the procedure.
- Take your drugs you have been told to take with a small sip of water.
- You will be told when to arrive at the hospital.
After the Procedure
Most people can go home the day of your surgery. You may have to wear a knee brace for the first 1 to 4 weeks. You also may need crutches for 1 to 4 weeks. Most people are allowed to move their knee right after surgery. This may help prevent stiffness. You may need medicine for your pain.
Physical therapy can help many people regain motion and strength in their knee. Therapy can last 4 to 6 months.
How soon you return to work will depend on the kind of work you do. It can be from a few days to a few months. A full return to activities and sports will often take 4 to 6 months.
Outlook (Prognosis)
Most people will have a stable knee that does not give way after ACL reconstruction. Better surgical methods and rehabilitation have led to:
- Less pain and stiffness after surgery
- Fewer complications with the surgery itself
- Faster recovery time.
References
Micheo W, Amy E, Sepuleveda F. Anterior cruciate ligament tear. In: Frontera, WR, Silver JK, Rizzo TD, eds. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation . 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 63.
Niska JA, Petrigliano FA, McAllister DR. Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries (Including Revision). In: Miller MD, Thompson SR, eds. DeLee and Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine . 4th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Saunders; 2015:chap 98.
Phillips BB, Mihalko MJ. Arthroscopy of the lower extremity. In: Canale ST, Beaty JH, eds. Campbell's Operative Orthopaedics . 12th ed. Philadelphia, PA: Elsevier Mosby; 2013:chap 51.
Review Date: 5/9/2015
Reviewed By: C. Benjamin Ma, MD, Professor, Chief, Sports Medicine and Shoulder Service, UCSF Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Isla Ogilvie, PhD, and the A.D.A.M. Editorial team.
