ACL RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY: AGE MATTERS

WHAT IS ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT OR ACL?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of a pair of cruciate ligaments (the other being the posterior cruciate ligament) in the human knee. They are also called cruciform ligaments as they are arranged in a crossed formation. In the quadruped stifle joint (analogous to the knee), based on its anatomical position, it is also referred to as the cranial cruciate ligament. The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the four main ligaments of the knee, and the ACL provides 85% of the restraining force to anterior tibial displacement at 30 degrees and 90 degrees of knee flexion.

WHAT IS ACL INJURY?

An ACL injury is the tearing of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) ACL injuries most commonly occur during sports that involve sudden stops, jumping or changes in direction — such as basketball, football, tennis, volleyball and gymnastics.

Many people hear or feel a "pop" in the knee when an ACL injury occurs. Your knee may swell, feel unstable and become too painful to bear weight.

Depending on the severity of your ACL injury, treatment may include rest and rehabilitation exercises to help you regain strength and stability or surgery to replace the torn ligament followed by rehabilitation. A proper training program may help reduce the risk of an ACL injury.

WHAT IS ACL RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY?

ACL reconstruction is a surgical tissue graft replacement of the anterior cruciate ligament, located in the knee, to restore its function after an injury. The torn ligament is removed from the knee before the graft is inserted in an arthroscopic procedure.

WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF ACL RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY?

ACL tears cannot be stitched back together. Instead, surgeons replace the ligament with one of two types of tissue grafts, an autograft or an allograft.

An autograft comes from your own body, usually a tendon from the kneecap or hamstrings. An allograft involves a tendon taken from a deceased donor.

Both graft sources have advantages and disadvantages that you should thoroughly discuss with your surgeon.

WHY AGE MATTERS WHEN DECIDING THE TYPES OF ACL RECONSTRUCTION SURGERY?

Recent research shows that the patient’s age and the type of graft can predict the chance of success of a first-time ACL reconstruction. Studies indicate that younger, more active patients are less likely to have their ACL reconstruction fail when an allograft is used.

Allograft reconstructions fail in about one in every five patients who are 18 years of age. In contrast, autografts fail in about one in every 17 patients who are 18 years.

So, if you are deciding to undergo an ACL reconstruction, it’s important to consider your age and activity level.

If that reconstruction fails — meaning the ligament is reinjured or ruptured within two years — the outlook for a second surgery is not as good.

WHY KIMS?

KIMS is one of the few hospitals that offer ACL Surgery in Hyderabad. Our trauma centre orthopaedic surgeon, Dr. I. V. Reddy, is one of the finest surgeons who provides unique, innovative and comprehensive diagnosis, treatment and management for ACL injuries and orthopaedic surgery in Hyderabad