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ACL Reconstruction Surgery

Expert surgical and medical interventions delivered with compassionate, patient-first care to help you regain your health and quality of life.

Overview

A sudden pop in your knee, followed by immediate swelling and a feeling that your leg is giving way—these are the hallmark signs of a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL). The ACL is one of the major stabilizing ligaments in the knee, critical for pivoting, jumping, and sudden stops.

**ACL Reconstruction Surgery** is a specialized procedure designed to replace the torn ligament, restore absolute stability to the knee, and allow athletes and active individuals to return to their demanding lifestyles.

At Prakash Hospital, our sports medicine and orthopedic experts perform ACL reconstruction using state-of-the-art arthroscopic techniques, ensuring precise graft placement and minimal tissue trauma for the fastest possible recovery.

Why is it Done?

Unlike some other ligaments, a completely torn ACL cannot heal on its own. While older, inactive adults may manage a torn ACL with a brace and physical therapy, surgery is strongly recommended if you:
  • Are young and active, wanting to return to sports that involve jumping, cutting, or pivoting (like football, basketball, or badminton).
  • Experience your knee frequently "giving out" or buckling during routine daily activities.
  • Have sustained damage to other parts of the knee, such as a torn meniscus or other ligaments, during the same injury.

What to Expect

The Graft: Because a torn ACL cannot simply be stitched back together, it must be completely replaced with a piece of tendon (a "graft"). This graft can be taken from your own body (such as your hamstring tendon or patellar tendon) or from a donor. Your surgeon will discuss the best option for your specific athletic needs.

During the Procedure: The surgery is performed arthroscopically. The surgeon removes the remnants of the torn ACL. Bone tunnels are then drilled into your thigh bone and shin bone. The new graft is pulled through these tunnels and secured tightly with specialized screws or buttons, creating a new, strong stabilizing ligament.

After the Surgery: You will wake up with a large bandage and likely a knee brace. It is an outpatient procedure, meaning you can typically go home the same day on crutches.

Risks & Benefits

The Benefits:

The primary benefit is the complete restoration of knee stability, preventing the knee from buckling and protecting the delicate meniscus cartilage from future damage. It allows athletes to confidently return to high-level sports.

Understanding the Risks:

Risks include knee stiffness, graft failure (re-tearing the new ACL if you return to sports too early), infection, or pain at the graft harvest site. Adhering strictly to the 6-9 month rehabilitation timeline is the best way to prevent graft failure.

Recovery Profile

ACL reconstruction recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. It demands dedication.

For the first 2-3 weeks, the focus is on reducing swelling and regaining the ability to fully straighten your knee. You will use crutches until you can walk without a limp.

Over the next several months, your physical therapy will progress from basic range-of-motion exercises to intensive strengthening, balance, and agility drills. It takes time for the body to biologically incorporate the new graft into the bone. Most athletes are cleared to return to full, unrestricted sports between 9 to 12 months post-surgery.

Frequently Asked Questions

When can I return to playing sports?

Return to sport is based on passing rigorous strength and agility tests, not just time. However, most athletes require 9 to 12 months of intense rehabilitation before it is safe to return to pivoting sports.

Do I have to have surgery if I tear my ACL?

Not always. If you live a sedentary lifestyle and do not participate in sports that require sudden changes in direction, you may be able to manage with physical therapy to strengthen the surrounding muscles. However, active individuals generally require surgery to prevent the knee from constantly giving way.
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Prakash Hospital Pvt. Ltd. is a 100 bedded NABH NABL accredited multispecialty hospital along with a center of trauma and orthopedics. We are in the service of society since 2001.

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