Joints are held together with ligaments. Sometimes a ligament can tear causing a great deal of pain. The anterior cruciate ligament is located at the center of your knee. It prevents your tibia (shin bone) from moving forward onto your femur (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.
ACL Reconstruction can resolve these problems. With this surgery, your damaged ligament can be replaced with new ligament. This ligament may come from a deceased donor (allograft) or from you (autograft).
If you use an autograft, it will probably be taken from the front of your knee. This is called the patellar tendon. It may also come from your hamstring.
There are pros and cons to both types of grafts; however, both are usually successful for most people. Talk with your surgeon to find out more.
Click here for more on ACL tear surgery.
Your surgeon will probably use arthroscopy to perform your ACL reconstruction. This type of surgery is usually done using general anesthesia.
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.
There will be a few other incisions in addition to the poke-hole. First, if you are using your own tissue, an incision will need to be made to remove it. This is rather a larger incision. Then a few smaller incisions will be made to access and remove your damaged tissue. Your new tissue will be inserted via bone tunnels. It will be placed perfectly and secured with screws or a variety of surgical fasteners as appropriate.
When your surgery is finished, your incisions will be closed, and a bandage will be put on. When you wake up from your anesthesia, you will probably be able to see pictures and the video of your surgery. Your surgeon will discuss the procedure with you and answer your questions.
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.
ACL Reconstruction can resolve these problems. With this surgery, your damaged ligament can be replaced with new ligament. This ligament may come from a deceased donor (allograft) or from you (autograft).
If you use an autograft, it will probably be taken from the front of your knee. This is called the patellar tendon. It may also come from your hamstring.
There are pros and cons to both types of grafts; however, both are usually successful for most people. Talk with your surgeon to find out more.
Click here for more on ACL tear surgery.
Your surgeon will probably use arthroscopy to perform your ACL reconstruction. This type of surgery is usually done using general anesthesia.
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.
There will be a few other incisions in addition to the poke-hole. First, if you are using your own tissue, an incision will need to be made to remove it. This is rather a larger incision. Then a few smaller incisions will be made to access and remove your damaged tissue. Your new tissue will be inserted via bone tunnels. It will be placed perfectly and secured with screws or a variety of surgical fasteners as appropriate.
When your surgery is finished, your incisions will be closed, and a bandage will be put on. When you wake up from your anesthesia, you will probably be able to see pictures and the video of your surgery. Your surgeon will discuss the procedure with you and answer your questions.
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, Portland ACL Surgery and Portland Athletic Injuries.
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