The bones of joints are held together by ligaments. You will find the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) at the center of your knee. Its purpose is to keep your shin bone from shifting forward on your thigh bone.
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.
ACL Reconstruction can resolve these problems. With this surgery, your damaged ligament can be replaced with new ligament. This ligament may come from a deceased donor (allograft) or from you (autograft).
An autograft is usually taken from the hamstring or the patellar tendon (front of the knee) of the patient.
There are pros and cons to both types of grafts; however, both are usually successful for most people. Talk with your surgeon to find out more.
Click here for more on ACL injury .
ACL Reconstruction is usually done under general anesthesia using arthroscopy.
When arthroscopy is used, your surgeon will have a clear view of the inside of your knee. He or she will make one small incision to insert a tiny camera into the knee chamber. This camera will send a picture of the interior structure of the knee to a video monitor. In this way, your surgeon can see and repair any problems in the knee at the same time that he or she attends to your ACL damage.
In addition to the poke-hole made to insert the camera, you will have a few other incisions. If you are using an autograft, there will be one larger incision made to access the tissue. A few smaller incisions will be made around your knee to access the damaged ligament and replace it with new ligament. Bone tunnels will be created to place the new ligament perfectly, and it will then be fastened in place with screws or other appropriate fasteners.
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, ACL Surgery in Tigard and Tigard Knee Injuries.
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