| The ACL or anterior cruciate ligament is one | | | | surgery this may be taken from the other |
| of the major ligaments in the knee. Damage to | | | | knee. The piece is positioned and then |
| this ligament often occurs after a blow to | | | | screwed into place. This type of surgery is |
| the knee. This often happens in sports | | | | popular with athletes because it is the |
| related injuries and is seen a lot in | | | | fastest way to return the knee to its peak |
| American football players after experiencing | | | | performance. However, it is generally very |
| a side tackle. Other sports such as soccer, | | | | painful. |
| skiing, basketball, cheerleading and rugby | | | | |
| also have high instances of players suffering | | | | The hamstring tendon is similarly locked in |
| ACL injuries. The effects of this injury are | | | | place by screwing end loops of a graft from |
| debilitating and can take an extended period | | | | the hamstring to the tibia and femur. The |
| of time for recovery. | | | | hamstring is not as strong as the patellar |
| | | | tendon so it will force use of a brace for |
| To determine if there is an ACL injury there | | | | approximately two weeks. This will immobilize |
| are three common types of tests a physician | | | | the knee to allow for healing. This surgery |
| may employ. The anterior drawer test and | | | | is significantly less painful and is a viable |
| Lachman tests are where the physician flexes | | | | option to the patellar tendon. Over time, |
| the leg and manipulates the tibia to | | | | studies indicate this surgery is just as |
| determine greater movement than normal. An | | | | effective but it takes longer for a person to |
| MRI can also be used to determine damage. If | | | | be able to resume normal activities. |
| damage is found, a course of treatment will | | | | |
| be prescribed. Small tears will usually be | | | | The cadaver surgery is when the tendon is |
| allowed to heal by naturally, but more severe | | | | removed from a cadaver to use in place of the |
| injuries will require surgery and ACL | | | | patient's own tendons. Because the removal is |
| reconstruction. | | | | the most painful part of the surgery, this |
| | | | type reduces the post operative pain |
| ACL surgery is done arthroscopically, which | | | | associated with ACL reconstruction. Because |
| is a less invasive type of surgery. Only | | | | this is being taken from another body, |
| small incisions are made which can reduce | | | | however, there is a risk of rejection that |
| recovery time for the patient. There are | | | | can cause complications. |
| three main types of ACL reconstruction to | | | | |
| graft tissue to the knee. These types include | | | | ACL reconstructions are commonly performed |
| patellar tendon, hamstring tendon and | | | | and are highly successful. Care should be |
| cadaver. | | | | taken to reduce the amount of stress put on |
| | | | the knee from blows, jumping or changing |
| The patellar tendon connects the kneecap to | | | | position quickly. Resuming walking can occur |
| the shin and is very strong and large. The | | | | after approximately three weeks, more intense |
| graft is typically made from the injured | | | | activity after four months, and full recovery |
| knee, but in cases of a possible second | | | | is typically complete after six months. |