ACL
Reconstruction (Anterior Cruciate Ligament)
What
is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
is similar to a strong elastic band connecting the Femur and Tibia.
This enormously powerful ligament provides flexibility in the knee
joint as well as lateral stability. The knee joint only pivots in
one direction. The ligaments prevent the knee joint from moving
sideways and thus provide stability.
How
is the ACL damaged?
People often tear the ACL by changing
direction rapidly, slowing down from running or landing from a jump.
Young people (age 15-25) who participate in basketball and other
sports that require pivoting are especially vulnerable. You might
hear a popping noise when your ACL tears. Your knee gives out and
soon begins to hurt and swell.
When you twist your knee or fall
on it, you can tear the stabilising ligament that connects your
thighbone to the shinbone. When the ligaments are severely damaged
they loose their ability to keep the knee joint straight and therefore
it becomes unstable. The knee joint can then move out sideways,
the knee buckles and the leg gives way. To the injured person the
effect is very painful and quite disturbing as it becomes impossible
to apply any weight on the injured leg.
Initial
Treatment
First treatment includes rest, ice
compression and elevation (RICE) plus a brace to immobilise the
knee, crutches and pain relievers. It is important to see an orthopaedic
surgeon right away to evaluate your condition and determine whether
the ligament has stretched and will recover or needs corrective
surgery.
Treatment
of Stretched Ligaments
If the damage is not too sever the ligament will
repair itself in time, but the candidate must not train, run or
exercise on the leg for a number of weeks. Recovery time depends
on the age and fitness of the candidate, generally 2 months is required
before the leg can be gradually used again. It will take approximately
6 months or more before full physical activity can be resumed. Sometimes
one or two cortisone injections are used to promote the healing
process.
Treatment
of Torn Ligaments
When the damage is too sever to heal naturally the
only option is surgery. Fortunately, reconstruction surgery can
help many people recover their full function after an ACL tear.
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