Exploring ACL Reconstruction Surgery

Knee surgeries are some of the most common sports-related injuries. One of the most serious types of knee surgeries is an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear. The ACL, which connects the tibia to the femur, helps the knee control its twisting and turning movements. This means that tearing the ACL can cause the knee to become unstable and collapse when making sudden movements. Furthermore, when the ACL is torn, other structures in the knee may also become injured. ACL Reconstruction surgery is used to help repair the knee after an ACL tear, helping to restore knee stability.

To perform an ACL surgery, surgeons typically use arthroscopic techniques, which are procedures used to help treat joint conditions by inserting an arthroscope (a small tube) into the body. To begin the procedure, the surgeon will place the patient under general anesthesia. They will then create a couple of small incisions in the knee to operate on the joint and take a graft from the surrounding tissues. A graft is a small piece of tissue used to repair the ligament. During ACL surgery, the graft is usually taken from the hamstring tendons or the patellar tendon. The surgeon will then drill small holes into the femur and tibia to thread the graft. Once this is done, the surgeon will secure the graft, which can be done using sutures, staples, or screws. Interestingly, all of these devices will stay in the knee permanently, ensuring that the knee can repair itself efficiently. If the surgeon realizes that other structures in the knee have also been torn (such as the meniscus), then they will be able to perform additional procedures to help repair these structures.

The recovery period for an ACL surgery is relatively quick, as most patients will be able to go home the same day as the surgery. In some cases, the patient will be asked to wear a knee brace and carry crutches for anywhere between 1 and 6 weeks. However, the patient will have to wait between 4 and 12 months to return to their sport, depending on the intensity. The patient may also be prescribed medicine for pain relief. The surgery has many benefits that make it an appealing option for patients. For instance, the surgery helps improve the stability of the knee, improving the patient’s mobility and also helping to prevent future injuries. Additionally, it reduces swelling in the knee and can help athletes return to their sports more quickly. However, several complications can occur from the surgery, such as infection, bleeding, and even blood clots.

In conclusion, ACL surgery helps restore knee mobility by repairing the damaged structures in the knee through arthroscopic techniques. Although the recovery process takes time and patience, the long-term benefits, including improved stability and reduced pain, help outweigh the potential risks. Recent advances in surgical medicine have helped make this surgery a reliable and effective treatment method, especially for athletes.

Written by Hawi Teju at Incisionary

References:

ACL reconstruction. (2025, August 29). Healthdirect.gov.au; Healthdirect Australia. https://www.healthdirect.gov.au/surgery/acl-reconstruction

ACL reconstruction: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia. (2020). Medlineplus.gov. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/007208.htm

admin. (2023, April 24). The Benefits of ACL Reconstruction: Why It’s Worth It - Plano Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center. Plano Orthopedic & Sports Medicine Center. https://www.posmc.com/the-benefits-of-acl-reconstruction-why-its-worth-it/

Arthroscopy. (2025, May 13). Hopkinsmedicine.org. https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/conditions-and-diseases/arthroscopy