Options for the Treatment of ACL Injury

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is located around your knee. It prevents the shin bone from moving forward over the thigh bone. If it tears, it can be instantly painful and can lead to structural damage.

A torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) can cause your knee to collapse during strenuous activity. Not only is this immediately dangerous, it can lead to repeated collapse, causing cartilage damage and 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).

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 treating ACL tears .

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.

Arthroscopy is conducted with the assistance of a small camera inserted into a joint. Your surgeon will make a small incision called a poke-hole to insert the camera. Then the surgeon can get a clear view of the inside of your knee on a video monitor. This will allow your surgeon to check the condition of all of the structures of the knee. If your surgeon discovers damage in addition to your ACL tear, he or she will go ahead and fix the problem.

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 done and your incisions have been closed, your knee will be bandaged, and you will be given time to recover from your anesthesia. At this time, you may be able to see the video of your surgery and confer with your surgeon on his or her findings and any concerns or questions you may have in mind.

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, Vancouver ACL Surgery and Vancouver Athletic Injuries.