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What is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament ?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four ligaments in the knee that provides stabilization.The ACL is vital in preventing the tibia from sliding forward under the femur and stabilizes the knee from rotating. Without a normal ACL, the knee becomes unstable and can buckle, especially when the leg is planted and attempts are made to stop or turn quickly.
How does a Anterior Cruciate Ligament rupture occur ?
An ACL rupture occurs when a sudden change in direction or pivot occurs on a locked knee (mostly during football, basketball).
A pop, followed by pain and swelling of the knee are the most common symptoms of an ACL tear.
How is an ACL rupture diagnosed ?
The history of how the injury occurred, the physical examination along with X-rays and a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) of the knee are essential to confirm the diagnosis.
What is the treatment for a torn ACL?
All young patients should have surgical repair of the ACL in order to return to the preinjury level of function, restore lifelong knee stability and avoid the inevitable risk of damaging the knee cartilage and both menisci. New minimally invasive techniques are available in order to reconstruct the ACL using arthroscopic surgery during which a microscopic camera and instruments are introduced inside the knee using only two small incisions. The cartilage and menisci are examined during this procedure and repaired if necessary. A tendon taken from the patient's own body is then used to reconstruct the ruptured ACL using an ‘all-inside reverse drilling’ technique allowing less pain, very fast rehabilitation and shorter hospital stay than previously used surgical techniques.
How is the rehabilitation program organised?
A specially dedicated physical therapy program will be given to you before your surgery and then used by your physiotherapist. It will allow you to start driving one month after your surgery and to gradually return to sport activities at 3 months and to complete sport activities at six months.