ACL Reconstruction
What is ACL Reconstruction
An ACL tear is a very common knee injury. It can happen to athletes who play sports like football, basketball, soccer and volleyball, and to those who work physical jobs. Most people recover from an ACL tear within six to nine months.
The ACL stabilizes your knee, so tearing it either partially or completely can cause pain and swelling. It’s a common injury among athletes. Ignoring a torn ACL can potentially lead to further injury.
ACL injuries are commonly seen in basketball, football, and soccer players, who often jump or pivot in reaction to other athletes. Ignoring a torn ACL can potentially lead to further knee injury.
What are the types of ACL tears?
When you hurt a ligament, your healthcare provider may grade the injury on a one to three scale, with three being the most severe:
Grade One: Your ligament has been stretched, but it still does its job of stabilizing the knee joint.
Grade Two: Your ligament has been stretched and loosened. It’s partially torn. (This grade is rare.)
Grade Three: Your ligament is torn – divided into two pieces. This is a very severe injury.
Cause
Most ACL tears are non-contact injuries. This means that they are not caused by, for example, another player kicking your knee. They can occur in several different ways, including when you:
- Suddenly stop running.
- Slow down when you’re running.
- Land awkwardly from a jump.
- Change direction suddenly, twisting your knee.
- Collide with someone else, like during a football tackle.
Treatment
Rest: General rest is necessary for healing and limits weight bearing on your knee.
Ice: When you’re awake, try to ice your knee at least every two hours for 20 minutes at a time.
Compression: Wrap an elastic bandage or compression wrap around your knee.
Elevation: Lie down with your knee propped up on pillows.
The type of treatment you receive is up to you. Many people with ACL tears decide to have surgery so that they can return to the activities they did before the injury. If your activity level isn’t as high, you might choose to not have surgery. But, keep in mind that your torn ACL won’t heal on its own.
Diagnosis
X-rays: X-rays may be needed to rule out a bone fracture. However, X-rays don’t show soft tissues, such as ligaments and tendons.
Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI uses radio waves and a strong magnetic field to create images of both hard and soft tissues in your body. An MRI can show the extent of an ACL injury and signs of damage to other tissues in the knee, including the cartilage.
Ultrasound: Using sound waves to visualize internal structures, ultrasound may be used to check for injuries in the ligaments, tendons and muscles of the knee.
Risks
Because ACL reconstruction is a surgical procedure, it carries certain risks, including:
- Bleeding and blood clots
- Continued knee pain
- Disease transmission if the graft comes from a cadaver
- Infection
- Knee stiffness or weakness
- Loss of range of motion
- Improper healing if the graft is rejected by your immune system