What happens during ACL reconstruction treatment?
Diagnosis before ACL repair
The orthopedist conducts a thorough diagnosis that includes a physical examination. During the physical examination, the doctor assesses the tenderness, swelling, and inflammation in the affected area. The doctor may also suggest passive motion tests to check the severity of the torn ligament. There are a few diagnostic tests an orthopedist would recommend to get the clarity of the ACL tear in order to suggest the best-suited treatment to repair it. Some of the diagnostic tests are-
Lachman’s Sign Test– In this test, the doctor holds the affected leg to bend it gently about 30 degrees. By doing this, the doctor can examine the intensity of the pain in the affected knee joint.
X-Rays- This is usually recommended to get a clear image of the affected knee joint to check the injury on the bones.
MRI- This is done to get a clear image of torn ligaments and tissues.
Procedure of ACL reconstruction surgery
Treatment for ACL injuries can be performed via physiotherapy in some cases, but in most cases, surgery is the only viable treatment option to regain limb movement. ACL surgery, or ACL reconstruction, involves the surgeon removing the damaged ligament and replacing it with a tendon graft to restore complete joint function. Surgery is followed by intense physiotherapy to reduce the chances of re-injury, especially in athletes. Doctors evaluate the joint’s strength, stability, and movement patterns before allowing the patients to return to their sport. A longer rehabilitation period is often linked with a lower chance of recurrence of the injury.
Benefits of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery
It is performed by an orthopedist specializing in arthroscopy. The success rate of arthroscopic ACL reconstruction is higher as compared to conventional surgical techniques. Minimally invasive surgery is often preferred over open surgery because it uses smaller incisions and causes less harm to the surrounding tissues, making recovery much smoother and faster. This surgical procedure can be performed on an outpatient basis and has a faster recovery duration. In addition, the patient can resume work within a shorter span of time in contrast to traditional ACL tear surgery.
What happens when you ignore an ACL injury?
Ligaments do not receive adequate blood supply to heal on their own. Therefore, ACL injuries do not heal on their own. If left untreated, they will progressively get worse and lead to:
Instability of the knee jointAn injured ACL joint cannot sustain any weight and progressively becomes more and more unstable till the knee becomes too unstable to even walk.
PainACL injuries are riddled with pain. Without treatment, the pain increases over time, and the knee swells up so much that the person starts having difficulty even moving it.
DisabilityWithout due treatment, the knee joint permanently loses its ability to bend and straighten, leading to permanent disability.
ArthritisAs the ligament cannot function properly in an ACL injury, its functional load is born by the surrounding tissues such as bones, tendons, and muscles. This additional strain can promote arthritis development in many people.
What does rehabilitation for ACL injury for athletes entail?
Typically, rehabilitation for ACL injuries lasts for around 4-5 weeks, but since athletes put more strain on their joints, they need longer rehab periods for better movement and to prevent the recurrence of the injury.
Rehabilitation for knee injuries mainly focuses on treating the injury and providing the patient with the desired range of motion for the joint. The treatment is performed with three goals in mind:
Stabilizing the joint to promote healing
Strengthening the joint to increase the range of motion of the joint
Increasing joint flexibility to decrease the chances of re-injury following the return to sports
Most athletes can start training for their sports about 4-6 months after the ACL surgery, but doctors recommend full rehabilitation before they start participating in the sports again.
