ACL Reconstruction Patellar Tendon

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Patellar Tendon is a surgical procedure that’s meant to replace an injured ACL with a graft from the patient’s patellar tendon. The ACL is one of the four most important knee ligaments and it connects the femur to the tibia, which is what allows the knee joint to be stable. The anterior cruciate ligament limits excessive forward movement of the tibia in relation to the femur and the rotational movements of the knee.

If the ACL tears, patients will feel like their knees are incapable of allowing movement or even bearing your weight. This is where reconstruction surgery comes in to reconstruct the torn ligament with tissue graft.

Causes of ACL Injuries

Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries are most commonly associated with sports that require the person to twist or overextend the knee.

ACL injuries can be caused by many different things, including:

• Sudden changes of direction
• Abruptly slowing down while running
• Landing badly from a jump
• Direct and violent blows to the side of the knee

Symptoms of an ACL Injury

You can tell your Anterior Cruciate Ligament is injured if you hear a loud “pop” and you feel that your knee buckles. Within a couple of hours, you may experience swelling and you’ll notice that your knee gives way whenever you try to change directions. Pain will persist and you may notice bruising or discoloration.

ACL Injury Diagnosis

Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries can be diagnosed with the help of a physical examination and tests such as X-rays, MRI scans, arthroscopy, or the Lachman test.

The ACL Reconstruction Patellar Tendon Procedure

ACL reconstruction surgery is meant to tighten the knee and restore stability.The ACL reconstruction patellar tendon procedure is a surgery that allows the torn ACL to be replaced with part of the patellar tendon that’s extracted from the patient’s leg and harvested to create a new ACL.

Risks & Complications

Just like any other invasive procedure, there are certain possible risks for the ACL Reconstruction Patellar Tendon procedure, such as:

• Numbness
• Infection
• Blood clots
• Nerve and blood vessel damage
• Graft failure
• Graft loosening
• Decreased range of motion
• Crepitus
• Knee pain
• Repeat injury

Post-operative Care

Rehabilitation must begin immediately after the ACL Reconstruction Patellar Tendon Procedure and it includes physical therapy and specific exercises to strengthen and restore the movement of your knee. All competitive sports and rigorous exercises must be avoided for 5 to 6 months after the surgery to allow the graft to incorporate effectively into the knee joint.

The ACL Reconstruction Patellar Tendon Procedure is very common, and it has proven to be successful. This kind of procedure is often recommended to people who want to return to an active lifestyle after an ACL tear; meaning it’s particularly recommended to athletes who play high-intensity sports.

If you have sustained a partial or complete ACL tear following an awkward fall or significant collision, you’ll want to put the health of this critical ligament in the hands of a proven surgical team. SOAR has a team of experience orthopedic surgeons adept at treating traumatic injuries like ACL tears. Contact us to schedule your initial consultation at the SOAR location near you.