What is this procedure for and how will it alleviate my symptoms?
The ACL is made up of two ligaments that cross over the middle of the knee and connects your thighbone to your shinbone. These ligaments help stabilize your knee joint. ACLinjuries most commonly occur during sports that involve sudden stops and changes in direction — such as soccer, football, basketball and volleyball. If you have torn only one of the 2 ligaments and are relatively inactive you may be able to manage your symptoms with physiotherapy allowing you to continue with moderate activities and recreational sports. If you have torn both ligaments or a ligament and your meniscus, are young, more active and play sports an ACL reconstruction will likely be required to return you to your pre-injury levels.
What happens during surgery?
An Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction will replace the torn ligament with a band of tissue (called a ligament) from another part of your body, i.e. hamstring or harvested donor tissue (graft). During the procedure the torn ligament(s) is removed and replaced with the harvested tissue. Your surgeon will drill sockets or tunnels into your thighbone and shinbone to accurately position the graft, which is then secured to your bones with screws or other devices. The graft will serve as scaffolding on which new ligament tissue can grow.
How do I qualify for this procedure?
All patients are requested to complete a Pre-Surgical Patient Questionnaire to provide us with your basic medical history. We also require an MRI, images and report to confirm you are a suitable patient for the procedure and our facility. we will request a History and Physical and if required bloodwork and an ECG from your family doctor.
What is the average process like and how long will it take for me to return to my normal activities?
Upon receipt of the patient’s medical documentation, booking the surgeon consultation can be arranged within 1 week, and surgery scheduled within 2 to 4 weeks. Recovery time varies by patient and procedure. This is a day surgery procedure. Following your recovery from anaesthesia you may be provided with a brace and you will be utilizing crutches for the first few weeks. You will be discharged with detailed instructions on how to utilize cold therapy to control pain and swelling. You will begin physiotherapy as soon as possible to begin working on strength and flexibility. Your surgeon will provide you with detailed post-op and rehabilitation instructions along with your follow up appointment schedule. Recovery takes between 6 and 9 months depending on your level of activity you are looking to resume.
How should I prepare for my surgery?
Your surgeon will best advise how to prepare for your procedure based on your current circumstances. Often pre-surgical preparation is required to ensure the best possible outcome following your surgery. This may mean your surgery would be delayed whilst you participate in physiotherapy to strengthen your muscles. Your surgeon will provide you with all of these instructions at the time of your consultation.