What to Know When Considering Knee Ligament Surgery
Knee ligament surgery is not for everyone, and those considering the surgery should do so with caution and be well informed about both the procedure and the recovery. There are four primary ligaments that surround the knee joint, but the most common one to receive surgical attention is the anterior cruciate ligament. This ligament is responsible for overall knee stability, although the knee can sometimes function without this ligament. We are going to take a look at the primary candidates for ACL surgery, look at the basic overview of this surgery, and what the recovery period entails.
Candidates for ACL Knee Ligament Surgery
ACL surgery is usually considered by those whose ACL has completely torn apart. A fully torn ACL will not heal on its own. People who have torn their ACL are likely to notice periods where the knee’s stability will give out. Athletes are prime candidates for knee ligament surgery if they intend to return to their sport. This is especially true for people who play soccer, football, or basketball on a professional or routine basis.
When the ACL does completely tear, the patient can choose to either seek a surgery to attempt to repair or “reconstruct” the ligament, or they can simply try to function with the remaining three ligaments. Provided the three remaining ligaments are in good health, the patient can live a pretty normal life, save for bouts when the knee may unexpectedly go out (though this is usually associated with overworking the knee).
If the patient experiences knee instability on a very frequent basis, then they may want to consider the advantages of surgery. They are likely to be a good candidate. Another good candidate would be a patient whose knee does not respond to physical therapy, which in most cases works by strengthening the remaining ligaments and the muscles surrounding the knee joint. Most doctors and surgeons will be able to advise a patient as to what type of treatment method is best recommended for their knee.
Overview of ACL Reconstructive Surgery
The basic idea of the ACL surgery is to construct a new ligament to replace the torn ACL. The piece of ligament is often taken from a nearby source, such as the patellar tendon (the one that connects the knee cap to the shin) or the hamstring tendon, and then the new ligament is grafted into place. When the piece of ligament is taken from the patellar tendon, a bit of bone must also be taken from both the knee cap and the shin bone. As bone will naturally graft back together, this allows for a sturdier and more secure tendon graft.
When the grafting piece is obtained from the hamstring tendon, which is located at the back of the thigh. This piece of tendon is grafted into place without the need to obtain bone tissues. This makes the process of obtaining and grafting the tendon much less intrusive.
Overview of Recovery
The worst part of having an ACL surgery in which the tendon is taken from the patellar tendon is the fact that recovery is often quite painful. In fact, the pain can come and go sporadically for years after the surgery. When the tendon is acquired from the hamstring tendon, there is much less pain involved during recovery because the process of getting and affixing the tendon into place is much less invasive. Unfortunately, however, many surgeons are of the opinion that a hamstring tendon graft is a little less reliable than a patellar tendon graft.
Reducing swelling and keeping full weight off of the knee is crucial during the first few weeks after surgery. After that, physical therapy will gradually be introduced to help the knee strengthen so that it can handle the body’s weight and begin to regain its range of motion. Crutches are normally required for the first two to three months after the procedure, so one must be prepared to adjust their lifestyle for at least this amount of time. After about twelve months, the knee should have regained most of its abilities back, including full range of motion, muscle strength, and performing a variety of maneuvers.
The chances of the graft being completely successful are not guaranteed. There is always the risk of the graft not “taking” or settling firmly or that the graft will loosen over time. There is also a chance that the tendon simply isn’t effective at fully stabilizing the knee.