Q: 5) What are the pros and cons of ACL reconstruction surgery?

Pros Allows return to sports that require a healthy anterior cruciate ligament May protect the knee cartilage from future damage It provides a normal functioning knee Cons All activities don't require a normal anterior cruciate ligament Surgery is not 100% effective Complications and risks of surgery sometimes outweigh the benefit.

Question 1

1) What is ACL reconstruction surgery?

Accepted Answer

An ACL reconstruction surgery is a procedure done to replace a torn anterior cruciate ligament which is a major ligament in your knee. It is done to fix ACL injuries that are the most common occurrence during sports that require sudden stops and changes in direction of the body such as basketball, soccer, football, and gymnastics. The torn ligament is removed and replaced with a piece of tendon from another part of the patient's knee or from a dead donor, the surgery is an outpatient procedure and is performed by an orthopedic surgeon.

Question 2

2) Why is ACL reconstruction surgery done?

Accepted Answer

Anterior cruciate ligament surgery is done to fix ACL injury which is an injury to the ligaments that are strong bands of tissue that connect one bone to another. The ACL is one of two ligaments that cross the middle of the knee and connects the thighbone to the shinbone and stabilizes the knee joint. ACL injuries most commonly occur during sports that require sudden stops and changes in direction of the body such as basketball, soccer, football, and gymnastics.

Question 3

3) When should you opt for an ACL reconstruction?

Accepted Answer

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is usually recommended if the person is an athlete and wants to continue in the sport, particularly if the sport involves jumping, skipping or turning. It is also suggested when more than one ligament or the meniscus in the patient's knee is injured or when the injury is causing the patient's knee to buckle during everyday activities.

Question 4

4) What are the risks of ACL reconstruction surgery?

Accepted Answer

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is a surgical procedure, and, like any other surgery, bleeding and infection at the surgical site are the most likely risks. Other risks associated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction include knee pain or stiffness, poor healing of the graft, and graft failure after returning to the sport.

Question 5

5) What are the pros and cons of ACL reconstruction surgery?

Accepted Answer

Pros

Allows return to sports that require a healthy anterior cruciate ligament May protect the knee cartilage from future damage
It provides a normal functioning knee

Cons

All activities don't require a normal anterior cruciate ligament
Surgery is not 100% effective
Complications and risks of surgery sometimes outweigh the benefit.

Question 6

6) How long does the surgery take and what type of anesthesia is used?

Accepted Answer

This is an outpatient procedure and only takes two to two and a half hours is most commonly performed using general or epidural anesthesia.

Question 7

7) How does one prepare for the surgery?

Accepted Answer

Before the surgery, the patient is likely to undergo several weeks of physical therapy whose goal is to reduce pain and swelling and restore the knee's full range of motion while strengthening muscles. The patient should tell his or her surgeon about any medication or supplements they take and if they regularly take aspirin which is a blood-thinning medication, the doctor may ask them to stop the drugs for at least a week prior to the surgery. The patient should follow his or her physician's instructions about when to stop drinking, eating and taking any other medications.

Question 8

8) What happens during the procedure?

Accepted Answer

General or epidural anesthesia is typically used during ACL reconstruction. An ACL reconstruction is usually done through small incisions. The surgeon removes the damaged ligament and then replaces it with a segment of a tendon from the patient's body or from a dead donor. The replacement tissue is called graft. The surgeon drills sockets or tunnels into the patient's thighbone and shinbone to accurately position the graft which serves as scaffolding on which new ligament tissue grows.

Question 9

9) What happens after the procedure?

Accepted Answer

Once the patient recovers from the anesthesia, he or she can go home later that same day. But before they go home, they will have to practice walking with crutches and may be asked to wear a knee brace or splint to help protect the graft. The patient will be given specific instructions on how to control swelling and pain after surgery, like keeping your leg elevated, applying ice to the knee and rest the body whenever possible.

Question 10

10) How long will be the patient off work?

Accepted Answer

This depends on the demands of the patient's job. If the patient's job is one in which he or she sits most of the day, then they may return to work in a week. However, if the patients' work demands them to be on their knee, then they will likely be out of work for four to six weeks.

Question 11

11) What's the cost of ACL reconstruction in India?

Accepted Answer

The cost of ACL reconstruction surgery in India depends on the type of procedure, surgeon, and quality of graft, the method of fixing the graft, facility and ranges between Rs 75,000 to Rs 1.5 lakhs.

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