The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is part of a complicated network of tendons and ligaments that help stabilize and support the knee. These structures are particularly vulnerable to injury during athletic activity or as the result of impact.

Surgical Treatment

ACL reconstruction has become a commonly performed procedure. Today, the majority of ACL surgeries are performed using arthroscopic techniques (“Endoscopic ACL Reconstruction”), in which a combination of fiber optics, small incisions, and small instruments are used.

The current, widely accepted procedure uses a tendon graft placed in the knee using an arthroscopic method, avoiding large and painful incisions into the knee. The graft - usually a tendon - may be drawn from many sources, including the patient’s own hamstring tendon, patellar tendon, the quadriceps tendon, or an allograft (human donor tissue). The type of graft used is determined on a case-by-case basis.

Timeframe

ACL surgery is generally scheduled between two and six weeks after the injury occurs in order to allow inflammation in the area to subside. If surgery is performed too early, patients may develop arthrofibrosis, a profound scar tissue response. Orthopedic surgeons gauge the appropriate timing of surgery based on the presence of other injuries (which may require more prompt attention), physical appearance of the knee, and the patient’s level of pain, degree of range of motion, and quality of muscle control.