Repair of the ligament that stabilizes the knee.
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Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is critical to knee stability. When injured, it can cause instability and pain. ACL reconstruction involves replacing the damaged ligament with a graft (usually from the patellar tendon or hamstrings) to restore stability and allow a return to sports activities.
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ACL Reconstruction (Hamstring Method)
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four major ligaments in the knee, connecting the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia) and stabilizing the knee joint. It prevents the lower leg bone from moving too far forward and limits rotational movements. An ACL tear can make your knee feel unstable, as if it won't support you. This file describes a surgical procedure to replace a torn ACL using a hamstring tendon.
Causes & Symptoms
An ACL injury most often happens during sports that involve twisting or overextending the knee. It can be caused by a sudden change in direction, slowing down while running, landing incorrectly from a jump, or a direct blow to the knee. When an ACL is injured, you might hear a loud pop, feel your knee buckle, and experience swelling within a few hours. The knee may also feel unstable or "give way" when you try to change direction.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis involves a physical exam and tests like X-rays, MRI scans, and arthroscopy. X-rays are used to check for fractures. The doctor may also perform the Lachman's test and the Pivot shift test. During a Lachman test, a torn ACL may show increased forward movement of the tibia. During a Pivot shift test, if the ACL is torn, the tibia will move forward when the knee is straight and shift back into place when the knee bends past 30 degrees.
Procedure
The goal of the surgery is to tighten the knee and restore stability. The procedure is performed under general anesthesia. The surgeon makes two small cuts, about a quarter-inch long, around your knee. An arthroscope, which is a tube with a small video camera on the end, is inserted through one incision to view the inside of the joint. A sterile solution is pumped in to expand the joint, giving the surgeon a clear view and space to work. The new ligament is harvested from the hamstring muscle on the back of the thigh.