The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is located in the knee. When it is torn, it can be extremely painful. The treatment for this sort of injury is reconstructive surgery. This procedure replaces your torn or damaged tissue with new tissue.
Autograft is the term used to describe a graft that is taken from your body. An autograft is usually taken from part of the tendon that is located on the front of your knee. This is called the patellar tendon. Another place an autograft may be taken is the hamstring.
Allograft is another type of graft. This tissue is harvested from a cadaver.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to the use of each type of graft. Your surgeon will determine which type will work best for you.
Arthroscopy is usually used when performing ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction. In this type of surgery, a small incision called a poke-hole is created to allow the surgeon to insert a very small camera into the knee. This lets the surgeon see the condition of the interior of your knee.
While your surgeon is looking, he or she will check for damage to other tissues. If the cartilage or ligament in your knee has been otherwise damaged, that problem will also be attended to during your procedure.
The most commonly used anesthesia for arthroscopic knee surgery is general anesthesia. With general anesthesia, you will sleep through your surgery and wake up with a brand new ACL (anterior cruciate ligament)!
Click here for more on ACL Reconstructive Surgery.
If you will be using an autograft, an incision will be made to remove it. Aside from that, knee surgery using arthroscopy requires only very minimal, small incisions. These are used to remove the damaged ligaments and to place the new ligaments properly.
Your surgeon will create bone tunnels to be used in placing the new ligament in the exact location of the old ligament. Once the bone tunnel is in place, your new ligament will be positioned and attached to the bone with screws or some other form of fastener. This will hold the ligament in its proper place. At the end of surgery, your surgeon will close your incisions and apply a bandage.
Your surgeon will probably take photos and/or film your operation so that you can watch it on the video monitor after your surgery is done. This technique allows the surgeon to discuss findings with you in detail.
Some reasons to consider having ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction are: Unreliable knees that give way unexpectedly, unstable or weak knees, pain in the knees, loss of ability to participate in athletic activities or to perform activities of daily living.
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks involved. Excessive bleeding, nerve damage and infection occasionally occur. Patients also report weak knees and pain and stiffness in the knees. Sometimes, the surgery does not resolve the symptoms. Occasionally, the ligament does not heal.
Autograft is the term used to describe a graft that is taken from your body. An autograft is usually taken from part of the tendon that is located on the front of your knee. This is called the patellar tendon. Another place an autograft may be taken is the hamstring.
Allograft is another type of graft. This tissue is harvested from a cadaver.
There are both advantages and disadvantages to the use of each type of graft. Your surgeon will determine which type will work best for you.
Arthroscopy is usually used when performing ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction. In this type of surgery, a small incision called a poke-hole is created to allow the surgeon to insert a very small camera into the knee. This lets the surgeon see the condition of the interior of your knee.
While your surgeon is looking, he or she will check for damage to other tissues. If the cartilage or ligament in your knee has been otherwise damaged, that problem will also be attended to during your procedure.
The most commonly used anesthesia for arthroscopic knee surgery is general anesthesia. With general anesthesia, you will sleep through your surgery and wake up with a brand new ACL (anterior cruciate ligament)!
Click here for more on ACL Reconstructive Surgery.
If you will be using an autograft, an incision will be made to remove it. Aside from that, knee surgery using arthroscopy requires only very minimal, small incisions. These are used to remove the damaged ligaments and to place the new ligaments properly.
Your surgeon will create bone tunnels to be used in placing the new ligament in the exact location of the old ligament. Once the bone tunnel is in place, your new ligament will be positioned and attached to the bone with screws or some other form of fastener. This will hold the ligament in its proper place. At the end of surgery, your surgeon will close your incisions and apply a bandage.
Your surgeon will probably take photos and/or film your operation so that you can watch it on the video monitor after your surgery is done. This technique allows the surgeon to discuss findings with you in detail.
Some reasons to consider having ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) reconstruction are: Unreliable knees that give way unexpectedly, unstable or weak knees, pain in the knees, loss of ability to participate in athletic activities or to perform activities of daily living.
As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks involved. Excessive bleeding, nerve damage and infection occasionally occur. Patients also report weak knees and pain and stiffness in the knees. Sometimes, the surgery does not resolve the symptoms. Occasionally, the ligament does not heal.
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 Surgery in Tigard and Tigard Torn Biceps.
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