Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: Treating the Knee with Surgery
An Overview of ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) Reconstruction
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) stabilizes the knee. It is easily torn because of its location and the extent of activity and stress the knee joint is subjected to on a regular basis. The choice to treat ACL damage with surgery is an individual choice.
It is based on such factors as how much damage the rest of the knee structure has suffered, the stability of the knee, the patients activity level, and the patients age. If surgery will allow the patient to return to the pre-injury activity level, it is usually recommended.
ACL reconstruction can stabilize the knee and prevent further damage to the articular cartilage and the cartilage cushions, known as the menisci. It can also help in preventing 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 believe these are subject to problems in the long term. Indeed, recent research has shown that patients under the age of 24 who receive an allograft and then participate in an aggressive rehabilitation program are 10-25% more likely to have a high failure rate.
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 knee is stabilized and stress is kept at a minimum across the knee joint by the ACL.
Excessive forward movement of the tibia (lower bone of the leg) in relation to the femur (thigh bone) is also prevented by the ACL.
Excessive knee rotation is also kept under control by the ACL.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Stefan Tarlow, a leading Phoenix Knee Doctor. - 17274
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) stabilizes the knee. It is easily torn because of its location and the extent of activity and stress the knee joint is subjected to on a regular basis. The choice to treat ACL damage with surgery is an individual choice.
It is based on such factors as how much damage the rest of the knee structure has suffered, the stability of the knee, the patients activity level, and the patients age. If surgery will allow the patient to return to the pre-injury activity level, it is usually recommended.
ACL reconstruction can stabilize the knee and prevent further damage to the articular cartilage and the cartilage cushions, known as the menisci. It can also help in preventing 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 believe these are subject to problems in the long term. Indeed, recent research has shown that patients under the age of 24 who receive an allograft and then participate in an aggressive rehabilitation program are 10-25% more likely to have a high failure rate.
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 knee is stabilized and stress is kept at a minimum across the knee joint by the ACL.
Excessive forward movement of the tibia (lower bone of the leg) in relation to the femur (thigh bone) is also prevented by the ACL.
Excessive knee rotation is also kept under control by the ACL.
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 more than 20 years experience focusing on knee surgery. After 19 years of practice, he opened his own clinic, Advanced Knee Care, in Phoenix, Arizona. Click here to learn more about Dr. Tarlow, Phoenix knee surgeons and Phoenix ACL Reconstruction.
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