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 your ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is torn, your knee might give out when you are physically active. This is a danger in itself. If it happens too often, your cartilage will be damaged, and you will experience early arthritis.
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).
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.
Both of these kinds of grafts have a good success rate, and there are things to recommend each. Discuss the pros and cons with your surgeon to make the best choice for you.
Click here for more on ACL tear surgery.
ACL Reconstruction is usually done under general anesthesia using arthroscopy.
Arthroscopy allows your surgeon to see the interior of your knee via a tiny camera inserted through a poke-hole. This allows your surgeon to see, not only the torn ACL , but also any other problems you may be having with your knee. These problems can be addressed during your ACL reconstruction.
If you are using an autograft, there will be one large incision (also called an open incision) made to remove this tissue. Additionally, your surgeon will access the areas to be worked on via several small incisions around the knee. These will be used to place your new ligament. Your old ligament will be removed, then the surgeon will make bone tunnels to place the new ligament in the same position as the old one. The new ligament will be secured with surgical fasteners such as screws.
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 your ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is torn, your knee might give out when you are physically active. This is a danger in itself. If it happens too often, your cartilage will be damaged, and you will experience early arthritis.
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).
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.
Both of these kinds of grafts have a good success rate, and there are things to recommend each. Discuss the pros and cons with your surgeon to make the best choice for you.
Click here for more on ACL tear surgery.
ACL Reconstruction is usually done under general anesthesia using arthroscopy.
Arthroscopy allows your surgeon to see the interior of your knee via a tiny camera inserted through a poke-hole. This allows your surgeon to see, not only the torn ACL , but also any other problems you may be having with your knee. These problems can be addressed during your ACL reconstruction.
If you are using an autograft, there will be one large incision (also called an open incision) made to remove this tissue. Additionally, your surgeon will access the areas to be worked on via several small incisions around the knee. These will be used to place your new ligament. Your old ligament will be removed, then the surgeon will make bone tunnels to place the new ligament in the same position as the old one. The new ligament will be secured with surgical fasteners such as screws.
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, Bicep Repair in Oregon and Portland Bicep Surgery.
0 comments
Post a Comment