Knee ACL Surgery | EmergeOrtho

April 26th | Smithfield Orthopedic Urgent Care Hours

About Knee ACL Injuries

The ACL is a ligament that connects the tibia in the shin to the patella (kneecap). It runs through the middle of the knee joint and crosses diagonally with the PCL (posterior cruciate ligament). The ACL stabilizes the joint during turning and twisting movements, and it prevents the tibia from sliding forward.

Sudden changes in direction, bad jump landings, and forceful contact can stretch or sprain the ACL. Many injuries to the ACL include tears, often complete tears, which result in total loss of stability in the joint. ACL tears are very painful and debilitating, especially for active people.

When Do You Need Surgery for an ACL Knee Injury?

While specialists generally use nonsurgical treatments before resorting to surgery, an ACL tear rarely heals sufficiently without surgical repair. You might be eligible for more conservative treatment if your tear is partial, you do not have signs of major knee instability, or your lifestyle is largely sedentary.

If you have a complete tear, a lot of instability in the joint, and are active, you are likely to need surgery. Being active means not just playing sports but also doing work that requires walking, standing, turning, and twisting. Active people who do not undergo surgery are at high risk for developing additional knee damage and injuries.

Preparing for ACL Knee Surgery

Your orthopedic knee specialist will evaluate and image your injury. They can then advise you about treatment options and whether or not surgery is the right choice. If together, you choose surgery, they will explain everything you need to do to prepare.

The surgeon might recommend a few sessions of physical therapy for preparation. The goal is to reduce swelling and stiffness, and to get a better range of motion in the joint prior to the procedure. This can improve post-surgical recovery.

The Procedure

Fixing an ACL ligament tear is more complicated than simply stitching it back together. Repairing it this way is not effective compared to reconstruction, which involves grafting additional tissue to the torn ligament.

Make sure you follow all of your surgeon’s instructions related to what you can and cannot do before the surgery. You might need to stop taking certain medications, for instance. It is also a good idea to prepare your home for recovery. Sleep on the first floor if you can and set up an area for sitting and resting. Have someone ready to help take you home after surgery and stay with you for a day or two at least.

Your surgeon will discuss tissue graft options before performing the procedure. You have a few options:

Patellar tendon. The surgeon can take part of the patellar tendon from your kneecap to make the repair. Many experts consider this the gold standard choice.
Hamstring tendon. Another option is to take tissue from the hamstring tendon on the inside of the knee.
Quadriceps tendon. Surgeons usually reserve using a tendon from the quadriceps for patients who have already undergone an ACL reconstruction that failed. They might also use it for heavier patients.
Allograft. A final option is to use donor tissue from a cadaver. This is another choice for patients with a previously failed ACL procedure.

Regardless of the type of tissue used, your surgeon will use a small incision and an arthroscope to perform a minimally invasive procedure.

Recovery from ACL Surgery

Despite the minimally invasive approach, this is a major procedure that requires time and patience for recovery. Follow all your surgeon’s instructions for the best outcome. If you try to go back to being active too soon, you can reinjure the joint.

You can expect to begin walking and attending physical therapy sessions within a day or two. Full recovery, including participation in all previous activities and sports, can take six months to a year.

In the first few weeks of recovery, you will focus on reducing swelling, managing pain, and increasing your range of motion. Physical therapy and rehabilitation sessions will work on strengthening muscles that support the joint. Within a few months, you should be much more active and able to get back into sports-specific training. Keep all appointments with your surgeon and therapists to recover as quickly and safely as possible.

An anterior cruciate ligament tear is a serious injury that often requires surgery. See a specialist at EmergeOrtho—Triangle Region as soon as you suspect you have a torn ACL. Request an appointment online today to consult with one of our knee and sports medicine specialists.