FAQs ACL
The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of the four ligaments located in the knee joint. Ligaments in our body are the tissues which attach one bone to another bone, ACL is located in the front of knee connecting the femur bone to the tibia bone..
The ACL holds the bones of the knee joint helping to keep the joint stabilised during the movements including bending and rotation of knee.
On knowing that your ACL is torn, it is of utmost importance to seek medical advice at the earliest. An Orthopaedic Surgeon will evaluate the extent and severity of the injury and will plan the treatment. However you can follow RICE method as a first aid:
- Rest-limiting weight bearing on the joint.
- Ice-applying ice on affected knee for 20 minutes
- Compression-wrapping a bandage around the injured knee to stabilise the joint.
- Elevation-keep a pillow under the knee while lying down
Orthopaedic surgeons examine the patient physically to check for swelling and tenderness,range of motion and overall function of the knee joint. Doctor may recommend certain investigations to confirm the diagnosis including X-Ray, MRI scan, Ultrasound.
PhysiotherapyYou can do exercises as instructed at home too for a few weeks or can do under a therapist’s supervision. The purpose of Physiotherapy is to provide relief from pain and reduce swelling around the joint, in addition restoring full range of motion of the joint.
Surgery
Your Orthopaedic surgeon may recommend surgery in following cases:
- You’re a sportsperson and your sports involve jumping, cutting or pivoting
- In case where more than one ligament or the cartilage in your knee joint is injured
- The injury causes the joint to buckle during everyday activities
Delaying treatment for ACL tear can lead to a range of problems including:
- A worse injury
If you continue to use your knee after an ACL Injury, you only worsen the problem as ongoing inflammation, the ligament continues to weaken, and a partial tear is likely to turn into a complete rupture.
- Long Term Knee instabilityYou are at risk of developing chronic knee pain and knee instability if ACL tear is left untreated.
- Meniscus injury There may be chances of ijury to the surrounding structures including meniscus and other ligaments in the knee joint.
- Risk of osteoarthritis Untreated ACL injuries may develop osteoarthritis at rapid pace.
ACL reconstruction is usually performed under general anaesthesia followed by small incisions in the knee joint. This procedure is carried out through arthroscopy, a tube like video camera which allows the surgeon to view inside the joint.
During ACL reconstruction, the surgeon removes the damaged ligament and replaces it with a segment of tendon.This replacement tissue is called a graft which is taken from another part of your knee or a tendon from a deceased donor.
The most commonly used grafts are called autografts means using part of patient’s own body such as hamstrings tendon.
Your surgeon will drill sockets or tunnels into your thighbone and shinbone to accurately position the graft, which is then secured to your bones with screws or other devices. The graft will serve as scaffolding on which new ligament tissue can grow.
ACL reconstruction is a safe procedure. You should consult your orthopaedic surgeon for all doubts related to the surgery.
The most commonly graft used from patient’s own body is Hamstring tendon, which will regenerate naturally after ACL reconstruction within a year.