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Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Surgery

Surgery Overview

Surgery for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuriesanterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries can help you stabilize your knee and return to activity. You may have:

  • Reconstruction surgery. With this, the surgeon replaces the damaged ACL with a graftgraft. For an autograft, the surgeon uses tendon tissue from your own body. This can be done safely. Often, part of the patellar tendon at the front of the knee, or one or two of the hamstring tendons, is used for the autograft. Sometimes part of the quadriceps tendon is used. For an allograft, the surgeon uses tendon tissue from a deceased donor.
  • Repair surgery. This usually is used only when the damaged ACL pulls a piece of bone off. This is called an avulsion fracture. The surgeon may reconnect the bone fragment to the area it was pulled from.

ACL surgery is usually done through arthroscopic surgery. This means your doctor will put a lighted tube with a tiny camera—called an arthroscope, or scope—and surgical tools through small incisions in your knee. Sometimes surgery is done through a larger cut in the knee. This is called open surgery.

In reconstruction of a partial or complete tear of the ACL, the best time for surgery is not known. Surgery that's done right away after the injury has been linked with increased fibrous tissue leading to loss of motion (arthrofibrosis) after surgery.footnote 1footnote 1 Some experts believe that surgery should be delayed until the swelling goes down, you have regained range of motion in your knee, and you can strongly contract (flex) the muscles in the front of your thigh (quadriceps).footnote 1footnote 1 Many experts recommend starting exercises to increase range of motion and regain strength shortly after the injury.

In adults, age isn't a factor in surgery, but your overall health may be. Surgery may not be the best treatment for people with medical conditions that make surgery a greater risk. These people may choose nonsurgical treatments. And they may try to change their activity levels to protect their knees from further injury.

Surgery is done under regional (such as spinalspinal) anesthesia or generalgeneral anesthesia.

How It Is Done What To Expect Why It Is Done How Well It Works Risks References

Current as of: July 31, 2024

Author: Ignite Healthwise, LLC StaffIgnite Healthwise, LLC Staff

Clinical Review BoardClinical Review Board
All Healthwise education is reviewed by a team that includes physicians, nurses, advanced practitioners, registered dieticians, and other healthcare professionals.

This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Ignite Healthwise, LLC, disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of UseTerms of Use. Learn how we develop our contenthow we develop our content.

© 2024 Ignite Healthwise, LLC. Healthwise, Healthwise for every health decision, and the Healthwise logo are trademarks of Ignite Healthwise, LLC.

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