Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction Surgery in Delhi, India

Anterior cruciate ligament construction is a surgical procedure to repair the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee. This ligament is most commonly injured during sports with sudden direction changes or stops, as seen in football and basketball. Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is performed as a one day procedure.

Alternate Name of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

ACL reconstruction

Body Location

Middle of the knee

ACL Reconstruction Procedure Type

Minimally-invasive surgical procedure

Preparation for ACL Reconstruction Surgery

Since ACL reconstruction is a surgical procedure, you will have some appointments with your surgeon before the surgery. A few things that go into preparing for an ACL reconstruction are:

• Discussion of treatment options
• Knee examinations
• Determining the right type of anaesthesia for the procedure
• Fasting for at least 12 hours before the surgery
• Stopping blood-thinning medications before the procedure. Your surgeon will instruct you more about when to stop and restart these medications.
• Routine blood tests before the procedure.

If you have any queries about your procedure, including where the graft will be sourced from, feel free to discuss them with your surgeon before the procedure. It is helpful to bring a friend or family member with you on the day of the procedure.

How is ACL Reconstruction Surgery Performed?

ACL reconstruction is arthroscopic performed under spinal anaesthesia and spinal you will be awake throughout the procedure. During an ACL procedure, the surgeon makes small incisions around the knee joints to allow small portals of entry for the instruments. First, the arthroscope is inserted into the joint to allow saline solution to clean the space around the joint. This activity makes space for other surgical instruments, including a camera, that enables the surgeon to see inside the joint during the procedure.

Next, the surgeon evaluates all the structures around the anterior cruciate ligament, including the right and left meniscus and the articular cartilage, and repairs any defects or tears around it. The surgeon then harvests a graft from part of your body hamstring tendons. This graft is an anchor for the new ACL being reconstructed. The graft is inserted into the thigh bone and the tibia using a flexible guide wire. Bio help secure the plugs of the bone. The surgical instruments are removed, and the wound is sutured to complete the procedure.

Follow Up After ACL Reconstruction Surgery

The key to ACL reconstruction is a skilled procedure followed by rehabilitation. Right after the procedure, you will have to take pain medications and keep your wound clean and dry at all times. Your surgeon may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infections. Icing your knee is recommended as it helps alleviate your pain and reduce swelling.

You will need to visit your doctor for a follow-up when required.

Risks Factors of ACL Reconstruction

As with any surgical procedure, there are some risks with an ACL reconstruction. The most common ones include the following:

• Excessive bleeding
• Formation of blood clots
• Persistent knee pain
• Disease transmission from the allograft
• Infection of the surgical site
• Loss of range of motion
• Improper healing of graft, resulting in its rejection by your immune system
• Growth plate injuries (common in young children with ACL)

According to a report, 82-90% of ACL reconstruction surgeries have excellent outcomes and establish complete knee stability. Surgeons usually evaluate the pros and cons of performing an ACL reconstruction in children to avoid growth plate injury-related bone shortening.

Recovery After ACL Reconstruction

While most people can return to walking and their usual routine a few weeks after the procedure, it may take at least six to nine months for a sportsperson to return to their sport. This also depends on the level of competition, the type of activity and your healing.

You can walk with a leg brace or crutches after the surgery on the same day. Your doctor will then prescribe a rehabilitation program to help restore your strength, range of motion and stability of the knee. A typical rehabilitation program will have a progression of exercises from strengthening to running, pivoting and returning to sports over four to six months.

You will experience some pain and discomfort, but the degree varies for everyone. Due to modern arthroscopic techniques, the recovery time for an ACL reconstruction has become shorter and more comfortable compared to open surgeries.