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.
Surgery is chosen with such factors as the patients level of activity, age, and the stability of the knee in mind. Additionally, it is necessary to know if other knee structures have experienced damage. Surgery will normally be recommended when it will let the patient return to the previous level of activity.
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.
ACL reconstruction is always performed arthroscopically. My personal preference is to use an autograft-tissue graft. This is a graft that is harvested from the patient. It is also possible to use an allograft, which is harvested from a cadaver.
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.
I prefer to use a Patellar Tendon Autograft and an interference screw fixation when I have a patient under thirty years old who does not have any underlying patellofemoral disease. In addition, I prefer Hamstring Autograft (semitendinosis and gracilis combined) using rigid extra-articular fixation (Rapid Loc or Toggle Loc) on the femur and a Washer Loc on the tibia.
If my patient is under the age of 25, I am willing to use an allograft only if the patient will avoid aggressive and competitive sports for a complete year. This will allow the allograft enough time for healing. Additionally, I am willing to use allografts if I am reconstructing more than one ligament.
The ACL acts to provide stability for the knee and to keep stress at a minimum across the knee joint:
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 rotational motion of the knee is also kept under control by the ACL.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Stefan Tarlow, a leading Phoenix Knee Doctor. - 17269
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.
Surgery is chosen with such factors as the patients level of activity, age, and the stability of the knee in mind. Additionally, it is necessary to know if other knee structures have experienced damage. Surgery will normally be recommended when it will let the patient return to the previous level of activity.
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.
ACL reconstruction is always performed arthroscopically. My personal preference is to use an autograft-tissue graft. This is a graft that is harvested from the patient. It is also possible to use an allograft, which is harvested from a cadaver.
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.
I prefer to use a Patellar Tendon Autograft and an interference screw fixation when I have a patient under thirty years old who does not have any underlying patellofemoral disease. In addition, I prefer Hamstring Autograft (semitendinosis and gracilis combined) using rigid extra-articular fixation (Rapid Loc or Toggle Loc) on the femur and a Washer Loc on the tibia.
If my patient is under the age of 25, I am willing to use an allograft only if the patient will avoid aggressive and competitive sports for a complete year. This will allow the allograft enough time for healing. Additionally, I am willing to use allografts if I am reconstructing more than one ligament.
The ACL acts to provide stability for the knee and to keep stress at a minimum across the knee joint:
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 rotational motion of the knee is also kept under control by the ACL.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Stefan Tarlow, a leading Phoenix Knee Doctor. - 17269
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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