An Overview of ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) Reconstruction
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is the stabilizer of the knee. It is torn easily because of the extent of activity and stress the knee joint is subjected to on a regular basis and the location of the ligament. Each patient must make the choice as to whether or not his or her ACL damage should be treated surgically.
It is based on such factors as how much damage the rest of the knee structure has suffered, the stability of the knee, the patients activity level, and the patients age. If surgery will allow the patient to return to the pre-injury activity level, it is usually recommended.
ACL reconstruction can stabilize the knee and prevent further damage to the articular cartilage and the cartilage cushions, known as the menisci. It can also help in preventing premature knee deterioration.
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.
I prefer to use Patellar Tendon Autograft with interference screw fixation for patients below the age of 30 who have no underlying patellofemoral disease. Additionally, I prefer Hamstring Autograft (semitendinosis and gracilis combined) with a rigid extra-articular fixation - the Rapid Loc or Toggle Loc, for example - on the femur as well as the Washer Loc on the tibia.
If my patient is under the age of 25, I am willing to use an allograft only if the patient will avoid aggressive and competitive sports for a complete year. This will allow the allograft enough time for healing. Additionally, I am willing to use allografts if I am reconstructing more than one ligament.
The ACL acts to provide stability for the knee and to keep stress at a minimum across the knee joint:
The ACL prevents an excess of forward movement of the tibia (lower bone of the leg) in relation to the femur (thigh bone).
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.
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is the stabilizer of the knee. It is torn easily because of the extent of activity and stress the knee joint is subjected to on a regular basis and the location of the ligament. Each patient must make the choice as to whether or not his or her ACL damage should be treated surgically.
It is based on such factors as how much damage the rest of the knee structure has suffered, the stability of the knee, the patients activity level, and the patients age. If surgery will allow the patient to return to the pre-injury activity level, it is usually recommended.
ACL reconstruction can stabilize the knee and prevent further damage to the articular cartilage and the cartilage cushions, known as the menisci. It can also help in preventing premature knee deterioration.
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.
I prefer to use Patellar Tendon Autograft with interference screw fixation for patients below the age of 30 who have no underlying patellofemoral disease. Additionally, I prefer Hamstring Autograft (semitendinosis and gracilis combined) with a rigid extra-articular fixation - the Rapid Loc or Toggle Loc, for example - on the femur as well as the Washer Loc on the tibia.
If my patient is under the age of 25, I am willing to use an allograft only if the patient will avoid aggressive and competitive sports for a complete year. This will allow the allograft enough time for healing. Additionally, I am willing to use allografts if I am reconstructing more than one ligament.
The ACL acts to provide stability for the knee and to keep stress at a minimum across the knee joint:
The ACL prevents an excess of forward movement of the tibia (lower bone of the leg) in relation to the femur (thigh bone).
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.
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 surgeons and Phoenix-area Knee Arthroscopy.
No comments:
Post a Comment