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ACL Reconstruction
Two Famous
Survivors of
ACL Reconstruction
Laurence Dallaglio
- played his best rugby following ACL surgery
...Paul Gascoigne
- helped put ACL injury on the map
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Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a highly
specialised operation and not for the occasional performer. It should be
considered for any patient with an ACL deficient knee that keeps
giving way (usually when turning). Such instability will give rise to a
general lack of confidence in the knee and sport or other outdoor activities may
be impossible. ACL reconstruction should also be regarded as a
means of reducing the risk of secondary problems in the future, such as torn
menisci and osteoarthritis.
Unfortunately a torn ACL cannot be simply stitched together because for
various technical reasons this doesn't work. Instead the torn ligament must be replaced by a graft. The
graft can be made from two of the patient's own hamstring tendons (which are actually
expendable) or alternatively a strip of patellar tendon. The graft is
inserted into the knee joint in exactly the same position as the original ACL, using an arthroscopic
technique that leaves tiny scars and causes minimal post-operative pain. The
rehabilitation period is an equally important part of the overall treatment
programme and must be conducted under the supervision of an experienced
physiotherapist. During the first six weeks after surgery, while the graft is
incorporating, a gentle exercise regime is implemented with emphasis on
regaining full extension of the knee early on. After that a more aggressive
approach can be adopted and might include workouts in the gym, cycling, and
swimming.
The overall results of ACL reconstruction are successful
in well over 90% of cases. Patients should be able to return to non-contact
sport after three months from surgery, and contact sport after six months.
Regaining match fitness and a return to competition at the former level may
well take up to a year even in elite sportsmen such as Joe Cole and Laurence Dallaglio.
Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) injuries by contrast seem to
be far less of a problem than ACLs and only rarely require surgical
treatment. The PCL is usually ruptured as the result of a direct
blow to the front of the shin; this occurs more often in road traffic
accidents involving motorcycles than with injuries associated with sport. If
surgical treatment is considered appropriate for a PCL deficient knee then the
technique using tissue grafts described above is applicable but not always as
effective.
Click here for:-
Common
Questions relating to ACL Reconstruction
Surgical
Procedures 
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