Knee Surgery: Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament
ACL Reconstruction: An Overview
The knee is stabilized by the ACL. It is often torn because of the location of the ligament and the fact that external forces are often exerted on it by activities causing damage. Each individual makes the choice of how to treat damage to the ACL.
The choice is based on factors such as the extent of damage to the rest of the knee structure, the knees stability, the activity level and age of the patient. If the patient will be able to return to the pre-injury activity level, surgery is usually recommended.
ACL reconstruction will stabilize the knee. This prevents further damage to the articular cartilage and the menisci (cartilage cushions). Surgery helps in preventing premature deterioration of the knee.
Across the board, ACL reconstruction surgery is performed arthroscopically. Personally, I believe that an autograft-tissue graft that comes from the patient is the best thing to use. The alternative is an allograft. This is a graft harvested from a cadaver.
However, I believe these are subject to problems in the long term. Indeed, recent research has shown that patients under the age of 24 who receive an allograft and then participate in an aggressive rehabilitation program are 10-25% more likely to have a high failure rate.
Click here to learn more about knee arthroscopy.
My preference is to use a Patellar Tendon Autograft combined with interference screw fixation when dealing with patients under thirty years of age who do not have any underlying patellofemoral disease. I also prefer Hamstring Autograft (semitendinosis and gracilis combined) using rigid extra-articular fixation (Rapid Loc or Toggle Loc) on the femur along with a Washer Loc on the tibia.
In a patient under age 25, I will only use an allograft if the patient promises not to engage in aggressive, competitive sports for at least a year after surgery. A full year will give the allograft time to heal. I am also willing to use allografts if I have more than one ligament to reconstruct.
The knee is stabilized and stress is kept at a minimum across the knee joint by the ACL.
In addition, excessive forward movement of the lower bone of the leg (tibia) in relation to the thigh bone (femur) is prevented by the ACL.
Excessive knee rotation is also kept under control by the ACL.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Stefan Tarlow, a leading Phoenix Knee Doctor. - 23211
The knee is stabilized by the ACL. It is often torn because of the location of the ligament and the fact that external forces are often exerted on it by activities causing damage. Each individual makes the choice of how to treat damage to the ACL.
The choice is based on factors such as the extent of damage to the rest of the knee structure, the knees stability, the activity level and age of the patient. If the patient will be able to return to the pre-injury activity level, surgery is usually recommended.
ACL reconstruction will stabilize the knee. This prevents further damage to the articular cartilage and the menisci (cartilage cushions). Surgery helps in preventing premature deterioration of the knee.
Across the board, ACL reconstruction surgery is performed arthroscopically. Personally, I believe that an autograft-tissue graft that comes from the patient is the best thing to use. The alternative is an allograft. This is a graft harvested from a cadaver.
However, I believe these are subject to problems in the long term. Indeed, recent research has shown that patients under the age of 24 who receive an allograft and then participate in an aggressive rehabilitation program are 10-25% more likely to have a high failure rate.
Click here to learn more about knee arthroscopy.
My preference is to use a Patellar Tendon Autograft combined with interference screw fixation when dealing with patients under thirty years of age who do not have any underlying patellofemoral disease. I also prefer Hamstring Autograft (semitendinosis and gracilis combined) using rigid extra-articular fixation (Rapid Loc or Toggle Loc) on the femur along with a Washer Loc on the tibia.
In a patient under age 25, I will only use an allograft if the patient promises not to engage in aggressive, competitive sports for at least a year after surgery. A full year will give the allograft time to heal. I am also willing to use allografts if I have more than one ligament to reconstruct.
The knee is stabilized and stress is kept at a minimum across the knee joint by the ACL.
In addition, excessive forward movement of the lower bone of the leg (tibia) in relation to the thigh bone (femur) is prevented by the ACL.
Excessive knee rotation is also kept under control by the ACL.
Click here to learn more about Dr. Stefan Tarlow, a leading Phoenix Knee Doctor. - 23211
About the Author:
Dr. Tarlow is a Board Certified Orthopaedic Surgeon with over 20 years specializing in knee surgery. He opened his own clinic, Advanced Knee Care, with a focus on specialty patient care. Click here to learn more about Dr. Tarlow, Phoenix knee surgeries and Phoenix Knee Arthroscopy.
posted by X - Men @ 2:38 AM
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