The ACL or the anterior cruciate ligament are the tough tissue bands that connect the thigh bone to the shin bone.
The anterior cruciate ligament runs through the knee diagonally and works by giving the joint in the knee the much needed stability.
It also helps control the back-and-forth movement of the lower leg.
Oftentimes, knee injuries occur when playing physically demanding sports like skiing, squash, football, and tennis.
Up to 40 percent of known sports injuries can be traced to ACL injuries.
In cases where damage is extensive, minimally invasive surgery might be recommended.
Tears in the ACL often happen when the lower leg and the knee are twisted or when the lower leg is extended too much.
Other likely causes of ACL injuries include:
- Incorrect landings (from jumps)
- Collisions (from football tackles)
- Drastic stops
- Sudden changes in direction
When the ACL is torn, there is a tendency for the knee to become highly unstable.
Losing its full motion range is also possible.
When is surgery needed?
For ACL tears that are minor, conservative and noninvasive treatment options will most often suffice.
However, if there are multiple tears, immediate surgical intervention is the most likely option to help ensure the knee is stabilized.
Surgery is also often carried out before too much inflammation can occur and cause permanent damage to the joint.
Stitching alone will not be enough to repair ACL tears.
Tissue graft (from the patient or a cadaver) will be required to provide support and facilitate ligament growth.
Fortunately, it is a lot easier for orthopedic surgeons nowadays to gauge the severity of the injury.
When immediate repairs are deemed necessary, a minimally invasive surgery called arthroscopy is performed.
The procedure is carried out under general anesthesia.
The surgeon will also need to make several tiny incisions in the knee.
In order to clean the joint, fluid will be injected.
A fiber optic camera will then be inserted so it can provide detailed images on the television monitor.
The detailed images will help the orthopedic surgeon clearly see the joint parts and determine the steps necessary for the repair.
Years prior, surgeries of the knee are often classified as open surgery and will often entail at least a week-long stay in the hospital.
Several months will also be required for full recovery to take place.
Fortunately, patients can perform day-to-day routines more quickly with procedures that are minimally invasive.
Knee arthroscopy is also carried out to:
- Trim the pieces of the broken cartilage
- Remove or repair the cartilage that works as cushion in the meniscus (the space situated between the knee bones)
- Repair the bone fractures found in the knee
- Repair the lining of the knee or the synovium
- Remove the fluid-filled sac that can manifest in the back of the knee (Baker’s cyst)
Preparations
Before the surgery, the following will most likely be suggested:
- Discussing bleeding disorders or other medical conditions with the surgeon.
- Taking a blood sample just in case a transfusion of blood will be necessary.
- Letting the doctor know if you have colds, fever, herpes breakout, flu or other conditions that might cause rescheduling of the surgery.
- Taking ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), Iopidogrel (Plavix), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and other blood thinners should be stopped.
On the day of the procedure, the following will most likely be recommended:
- Eating and drinking after midnight should be avoided especially if general anesthesia will be administered.
- Should be in the hospital on the time scheduled.
- Taking medications provided with only a small water sip.
After the surgery, patients can expect the following:
- They will be asked to go home after only a few hours.
- They will have to use crutches when necessary.
- Since the procedure is minimally invasive, recovery will be faster. However, in some instances, the complexity of the repair and the severity of the condition may affect the length of the recovery.
If you are a candidate for minimally invasive surgery for an ACL injury, get expert help from the able specialists at www.bjios.sg now.
