5 FAQs About ACL Reconstruction
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the knee’s four main ligaments. The ACL connects the tibia and femur and is one of the most commonly injured ligaments. The risk of this type of injury is higher in athletes who play football, basketball, soccer and those who ski. Around 50% of ACL injuries also include damage to other ligaments, articular cartilage, or the knee bone (meniscus). Here are the top 5 questions asked about ACL reconstruction.
1.Can ACL surgery be avoided?
This type of injury does not heal well without treatment. However, there are some instances in which non-surgical treatment is the best option. Such cases include those in which the patient is elderly, not a very active person or suffers from arthritis. These types of patient sometimes benefit from rehabilitation rather than surgery.
2.Who is the best candidate for ACL reconstruction?
ACL surgery is the best option for patients who are active, such as athletes. The doctor will usually recommend surgery if the patient has undergone a rehabilitation program which has been unsuccessful or if more than one knee ligament has been injured.
3.What types of ACL reconstruction surgery are available?
There are two different types of ACL reconstruction surgery. The surgery involves replacing the damaged ACL with a ligament taken from elsewhere in the knee or from a tissue bank. The orthopedic surgeon will decide which method is best depending on the patient’s individual needs.
4.How long will recovery from ACL reconstruction take?
Recovery times will vary from patient to patient. Typical recovery time is several months to a year. After surgery, patients need to undergo physical therapy to complete recovery.
5.What will rehabilitation entail?
The aim of rehabilitation is to restore full strength and movement to the knee. Rehabilitation usually starts within 2-4 weeks after surgery and will begin with putting gentle weight on the knee. During initial physical therapy sessions, the aim is to achieve full extension of the knee; this is stage I of rehabilitation
During stage II rehabilitation, the patient will be working on achieving full range of motion and improving proprioception and endurance. Stage III involves continued strengthening, gaining confidence in knee movement, and jogging is allowed after three months. The patient will reach stage IV (the final stage of rehab) 4-6 months after surgery. If strength and mobility have returned to normal by this time, and the patient meets the required criteria, normal activities may be resumed.
Recent Posts
Spine Solutions: ACDF vs PLIF For Treating Cervical Spinal Stenosis
Cervical spinal stenosis can cause chronic neck and limb pain. ACDF and PLIF are suggested surgical options. Learn which is the best solution for long-term relief.
What Does A Pinched Nerve Feel Like? Radiculopathy & Tingling In Arms Or Legs
Experiencing tingling, numbness, or shooting pain in the arms or legs? Learn about a pinched nerve and radiculopathy and the best treatment options for relief.
Radiofrequency Ablation & Chronic Pain: Can RFA Provide Long-Term Pain Relief?
Radiofrequency ablation has a place in treating chronic pain. By destroying nerve endings and disrupting pain receptors, users can enjoy long-term pain relief.
Nasal Relief: Balloon Sinuplasty & Minimally Invasive Sinus Treatment
Finding relief for chronic sinus issues can be difficult. Balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive sinus treatment, can clear the nasal passage and reduce pain.
“Everyone was friendly and concerned about my comfort. They frequently asked how I was doing, or if I needed something.”
“Efficiency of the staff. Courteous, friendly and caring attitude. Excellent office staff. Pleasant surroundings.”
“Marcia and staff were excellent and genuinely cared for my well being. Wish I could have taken them home.”
“Amazing nurses, very caring and friendly and put both me and my son at ease.”
“Dr. Best…is the best!”
“The staff was great, especially Mary and Marcia. Marcia was extremely helpful post-op and made sure I was comfortable and well-cared for.”
“Rebecca was amazing. I have always had trouble in the past with getting an IV started. I told Rebecca I was concerned about it. She got it on the 1st try – no digging in my arm and NO bruising the next day.”
“I can’t say enough about Marcia and the entire team. The care I received was well beyond anything I could have expected.”
“Anesthesia staff was outstanding!”
“Dr. Best…is the best!”
“NO wait time, RN Rebecca answered all questions prior to my visit by phone and again answered all questions and concerns while prepping me.”
“Dr. Tupper was amazing! He spent time explaining exactly what he was doing, what I would experience and made sure I was comfortable.”
“NO wait time, RN Rebecca answered all questions prior to my visit by phone and again answered all questions and concerns while prepping me.”
“Everyone was friendly and concerned about my comfort. They frequently asked how I was doing, or if I needed something.”
“The nurses were very nice and caring!”
“Everyone was concerned with my comfort.”
“I can’t say enough about Marcia and the entire team. The care I received was well beyond anything I could have expected.”
“Experience was amazing. The nurses my son needed at this time couldn’t have been chosen any more perfect. They were supportive and understanding, patient and just great human beings.THANK YOU KINDLY ”
“The nurses were very nice and caring!”
“I liked that it was so clean. Every staff member was pleasant and easy to talk with.”
“The staff was very polite, they were excellent. They explained exactly what was going on.”
“Anesthesia staff was outstanding!”
“I liked that it was so clean. Every staff member was pleasant and easy to talk with.”
“No severe pain – Just a little discomfort – I was asked several times during procedure if I was OK – they showed genuine concern for my well being.”
“Dr. Tupper was amazing! He spent time explaining exactly what he was doing, what I would experience and made sure I was comfortable.”
“Everyone was friendly and the place was very clean.”
“The staff was great, especially Mary and Marcia. Marcia was extremely helpful post-op and made sure I was comfortable and well-cared for.”
“Dr. Dedhia made everything clear and even scheduled an early follow-up appt so I could get back to work sooner.”
“Entire staff was knowledgeable and courteous. They genuinely cared for my well being and made sure my wife and I were taken care of.”
“Marcia and staff were excellent and genuinely cared for my well being. Wish I could have taken them home.”
“Everyone was friendly and the place was very clean.”
“All staff were wonderful.”
“Efficiency of the staff. Courteous, friendly and caring attitude. Excellent office staff. Pleasant surroundings.”
“Dr. Dedhia made everything clear and even scheduled an early follow-up appt so I could get back to work sooner.”
“No severe pain – Just a little discomfort – I was asked several times during procedure if I was OK – they showed genuine concern for my well being.”
“The staff was very polite, they were excellent. They explained exactly what was going on.”
“The STAFF from the moment you walk in were the nicest people I’ve encountered at a medical facility.”
“Entire staff was knowledgeable and courteous. They genuinely cared for my well being and made sure my wife and I were taken care of.”
“Amazing nurses, very caring and friendly and put both me and my son at ease.”
“Incredibly professional, friendly and confidence of knowing their roles as healthcare employees. Excellent!”
“Rebecca was amazing. I have always had trouble in the past with getting an IV started. I told Rebecca I was concerned about it. She got it on the 1st try – no digging in my arm and NO bruising the next day.”
“Experience was amazing. The nurses my son needed at this time couldn’t have been chosen any more perfect. They were supportive and understanding, patient and just great human beings.THANK YOU KINDLY ”
“Incredibly professional, friendly and confidence of knowing their roles as healthcare employees. Excellent!”
“All staff were wonderful.”
“Everyone was concerned with my comfort.”
“The STAFF from the moment you walk in were the nicest people I’ve encountered at a medical facility.”
Recent Posts
What Does A Pinched Nerve Feel Like? Radiculopathy & Tingling In Arms Or Legs
Experiencing tingling, numbness, or shooting pain in the arms or legs? Learn about a pinched nerve and radiculopathy and the best treatment options for relief.
Radiofrequency Ablation & Chronic Pain: Can RFA Provide Long-Term Pain Relief?
Radiofrequency ablation has a place in treating chronic pain. By destroying nerve endings and disrupting pain receptors, users can enjoy long-term pain relief.
Nasal Relief: Balloon Sinuplasty & Minimally Invasive Sinus Treatment
Finding relief for chronic sinus issues can be difficult. Balloon sinuplasty, a minimally invasive sinus treatment, can clear the nasal passage and reduce pain.
Conquering Chronic Knee Pain: Is Partial Or Total Knee Replacement Right For You?
Constantly suffering from chronic knee pain for years? Here's how to know which surgical procedure is right, namely partial or total knee replacement.
