Overcoming ACL Rupture : The Importance of Reconstruction Surgery

To ensure that ACL rupture don’t weigh you down, go for an ACL reconstruction surgery.

What is an ACL Rupture?

An ACL tear or rupture is when the anterior ligament holding the femur and tibia together has been torn.

Benefits of ACL Reconstruction Surgery after Acl Rupture

Since a torn ACL compromises the strength, stability, and flexion of the affected knee, an ACL reconstruction surgery is necessary to recover lost mobility and strength. The procedure is often mistakenly called ACL repair—a torn ligament, especially if the tears are extensive, is not considered viable and cannot be fixed, only replaced by a tissue or bone graft, hence the ACL reconstruction surgery. This is because the position of the ruptured ligament makes it hard—to the extreme—for the blood and the oxygen along with it to reach the ligament. As a result, the muscles or tissues are unable to regenerate, thus requiring a graft replacement whenever a rupture in the ACL happens.

Types of ACL Reconstruction Surgery after Acl Rupture

Patellar Tendon Graft: Pros and Cons
Achilles Tendon Graft: Advantages and Disadvantages
Hamstring Tendon Graft: An Alternative Option
Double-Bundle ACL Reconstruction: The Latest Advancement

An ACL reconstruction surgery has four types. The most well-known and, often touted as the best, is the one that involves harvesting the graft from the patellar tendon. They say the strength of the patellar tendon ensures that the reconstructed ACL will be able to manage activities as strongly as before. However, one disadvantage of going for this kind of ACL reconstruction surgery is the longer recovery time. Since the tendon is acquired from the patient’s own body, this eliminates the chance of infection and graft rejection but exchanges it for greater wound pain or postoperative pain, the formation of more scars, and even the fracture or damage of the patella while the graft is being collected.

Still, this type of surgery continues to have the highest success rates in terms of regaining joint movement and knee flexibility. And even though the graft collection presents a low health risk compared to what you’re getting in exchange—recovering knee strength and motion and, as a result, being able to amble along again without fear that your knees will give out on you at any minute—the trade-off still comes off as a pretty good deal.

Conclusion:

Taking Control of Your ACL Injury: Rebuilding Strength and Mobility.