Knee Surgery: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
An Overview of ACL Reconstruction
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is the stabilizer of the knee. It is torn easily because of the extent of activity and stress the knee joint is subjected to on a regular basis and the location of the ligament. Each patient must make the choice as to whether or not his or her ACL damage should be treated surgically.
The choice is based on factors such as the extent of damage to the rest of the knee structure, the knees stability, the activity level and age of the patient. If the patient will be able to return to the pre-injury activity level, surgery is usually recommended.
Surgery acts as a stabilizer to the knee. It also helps prevent secondary damage to the menisci (cartilage cushions) as well as the articular cartilage of the knee. The hope is that surgery will help prevent premature knee deterioration.
Without exception, ACL reconstruction is performed arthroscopically. I personally prefer to use an autograft-tissue graft. Autograft is a graft harvested from the patient. An allograft, which is harvested from a cadaver is another possibility.
However, I think allografts are subject to problems. Recent research has indicated that patients under age 25 who receive an allograft followed by an aggressive rehabilitation program are 10-25% more likely to have problems.
Click here to learn more about knee arthroscopy.
My preference is to use a Patellar Tendon Autograft combined with interference screw fixation when dealing with patients under thirty years of age who do not have any underlying patellofemoral disease. I also prefer Hamstring Autograft (semitendinosis and gracilis combined) using rigid extra-articular fixation (Rapid Loc or Toggle Loc) on the femur along with a Washer Loc on the tibia.
If the patient is under age 25, I have been known to use an allograft as long as the patient guarantees he will not engage in aggressive, competitive sports for a full year following the surgery. This period of time gives the allograft a chance to heal. Also, I will use allografts when there is more than one ligament that needs to be reconstructed.
The ACL acts to provide stability for the knee and to keep stress at a minimum across the knee joint:
In addition, excessive forward movement of the lower bone of the leg (tibia) in relation to the thigh bone (femur) is prevented by the ACL.
Additionally, it prevents excessive rotational movement of the knee.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Stefan Tarlow, a leading Phoenix Knee Doctor. - 17274
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is the stabilizer of the knee. It is torn easily because of the extent of activity and stress the knee joint is subjected to on a regular basis and the location of the ligament. Each patient must make the choice as to whether or not his or her ACL damage should be treated surgically.
The choice is based on factors such as the extent of damage to the rest of the knee structure, the knees stability, the activity level and age of the patient. If the patient will be able to return to the pre-injury activity level, surgery is usually recommended.
Surgery acts as a stabilizer to the knee. It also helps prevent secondary damage to the menisci (cartilage cushions) as well as the articular cartilage of the knee. The hope is that surgery will help prevent premature knee deterioration.
Without exception, ACL reconstruction is performed arthroscopically. I personally prefer to use an autograft-tissue graft. Autograft is a graft harvested from the patient. An allograft, which is harvested from a cadaver is another possibility.
However, I think allografts are subject to problems. Recent research has indicated that patients under age 25 who receive an allograft followed by an aggressive rehabilitation program are 10-25% more likely to have problems.
Click here to learn more about knee arthroscopy.
My preference is to use a Patellar Tendon Autograft combined with interference screw fixation when dealing with patients under thirty years of age who do not have any underlying patellofemoral disease. I also prefer Hamstring Autograft (semitendinosis and gracilis combined) using rigid extra-articular fixation (Rapid Loc or Toggle Loc) on the femur along with a Washer Loc on the tibia.
If the patient is under age 25, I have been known to use an allograft as long as the patient guarantees he will not engage in aggressive, competitive sports for a full year following the surgery. This period of time gives the allograft a chance to heal. Also, I will use allografts when there is more than one ligament that needs to be reconstructed.
The ACL acts to provide stability for the knee and to keep stress at a minimum across the knee joint:
In addition, excessive forward movement of the lower bone of the leg (tibia) in relation to the thigh bone (femur) is prevented by the ACL.
Additionally, it prevents excessive rotational movement of the knee.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Stefan Tarlow, a leading Phoenix Knee Doctor. - 17274
About the Author:
Dr. Tarlow is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 20 years specializing in knee surgery. He opened his own clinic, Advanced Knee Care, with a focus on specialty patient care. Click here to learn more about Dr. Tarlow, Phoenix knee surgeons and Phoenix-area Knee Arthroscopy.
posted by X - Men at
6:23 AM
0 Comments:
Post a Comment
Subscribe to Post Comments [Atom]
<< Home