ACL Surgery

The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is one of four ligaments in the knee that connect to the upper and lower leg bones. The bones in the knee provide little stability, which is the job of the four ligamentsSlightly stretchy connective tissues that connect bones in the body, forming a joint., making the ACL extremely important.

The ACL is a small structure, less than 1 ½ inches long and ½ inch wide, that is crucial in preventing the thigh bone (femur) from sliding backward on the tibia (or, vice versa for that matter).

An ACL injury (a tear of stretch) is almost always related to sports such as basketball, football or soccer as it is normally caused by trauma. The anterior cruciate ligament tears or gets stretched while the foot is planted, the knee is locked and then twists at the same time. This is a very common injury in the athletic world. The problem is that without a functioning ACL, the knee becomes unstable and can buckle easily.

Sometimes, damage to the knee and ACL can be so great that other parts of the knee also suffer damage such as the MCL (medial collateral ligament) and the menisciThe meniscus is a crescent-shaped cartilage tissue that protects and helps promote flexibility in the knee. (Source: Wisegeek)..

ACL Video

Torn ACL Symptoms and Diagnosis

As it turns out, women are more prone to ACL injuries than men, as there are larger numbers of women suffering from this kind of condition. There are a few symptoms that patients might experience:

• Most patients describe hearing a "tear" or "pop" sound when going down.
• Pain and swelling in the knee after the injury.
• Movement restriction due to the injury.

The diagnosis will be done either by an MRI, different physical tests performed by a doctor or physiotherapist and the third and most precise way: arthroscopic surgery in which a tiny camera will be inserted to assure there is in fact a tear and injury.

Torn ACL Treatments

There are two different methods to repair a torn ACL, the first being more traditional treatments that will include medication, prescribed rest and rehabilitation physiotherapy and maybe even electrotherapyThe use of electrical energy as a medical treatment. For example to speed up wound healing or to stimulating the brain (Source: Wikipedia)..

The second type will be reconstruction of the ligament through surgery. The most common method today is to take a tendon or ligament from somewhere else in the body and implant it in the knee (often a ligament also can be taken from a cadaver). There are no incisions as the procedure is done with the arthroscopic technology, with the use of a tiny camera.

After surgery, the knee is stabilized and the patient is hospitalized for a few days. Intensive physiotherapy will begin shortly after the surgery as it is crucial for the rehabilitation process. A return to sporting activities is usually achieved after a period of 6 months.

Torn ACL Surgery Abroad

Many people suffering from this injury need functioning knees for their livelihood. When diagnosed with the need for reconstructive ACL surgery, you want the best orthopedic surgeons with the most advance technology operating on you. TicketMed is affiliated with the top orthopedic surgery centers in the world, specializing in sports medicine and injuries. Contact us or ask for a quote for a quick diagnosis and solution.