Ligament Repair & Reconstruction

ACL reconstruction is the abbreviated form of Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction. It is a surgical operation of an anterior cruciate ligament in the knee. In case, the ligament is torn due to an injury, this surgery is performed to repair and reconstruct the torn ligament. In some cases, the severely torn ligament is replaced and grafted. The surgery for the replacement or reconstruction of the ligament in the knee is executed arthroscopically.

Ligament repair and reconstruction surgery is generally not recommended for teens and children. Their bones are not strong enough to bear the postoperative effects of the surgery. The anterior cruciate ligament operation is considerable in cases of those who have already undergone this surgical treatment.

The function of the anterior cruciate ligament

There are four ligaments in the knee. These ligaments connect the lower leg bone or tibia to the upper leg bone or femur. One of these knee ligaments is the anterior cruciate ligament. This ligament stabilizes the abnormal movement of the knee to support the body in different postures. It prevents the lower leg bone or tibia from turning or sliding forward when the posture of the leg is straight. It prevents the knee from being pulled or stretched to keep the knee away hyperextension. It also supports the other three knee ligaments to prevent the sideway bending of the knee.

Different types of injury to the ligament

A medium or small rip of the anterior cruciate ligament is an injury or damage to the ligament. A complete rip of the ligament is called rupture. If an injury to the ligament separates it from the lower or upper leg bone, it is called avulsion. Avulsion fracture is damage to the ligament that separates the ligament from a part of the knee bone.

When any of these above-mentioned injuries occurs to this particular knee ligament, the lower leg bone or tibia may move over the femur of the upper leg bone or the latter may slide over the former. The abnormal movement of the knee bones causes an intolerable pain.

Risks and complications of an injury to the ligament

The treatment of an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament should be done timely and properly. If the treatment is delayed or improper, the injured knee ligament puts its victims at a risk of developing several complications.

People who suffer from an injury to this particular knee ligament are required to modify their activities and movements. Their ailment becomes complicated and severe if they fail to restrict their movements. As a deadly consequence, the injury may further develop into chronic and severe anterior cruciate ligament deficiency.

It leads to the instability of the knee. The abnormal movement of the lower and upper leg bones due to increasing instability of the knee may damage cartilage and the menisci in the knee. That in turn, results in premature osteoarthritis. Severe pain in the knee causes the knee joint to swell and develop degenerative changes that turn the knee disable. So, restrict movement and timely ligament surgery is a remedy to get rid of this physical problem.