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ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT: CONSIDER AGE BEFORE SURGERY

Dr. Srinivas Kasha, Thursday, October 31, 2019

WHAT IS THE ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT OR ACL?

The anterior cruciate ligament or ACL mainly links the thigh and shin bones that meet inside your knee. It helps steady the knee and guards it from shifting or rotating.


WHAT IS ACL INJURY?

ACL injuries happen mostly in athletes and happens from sudden stop or change in direction, an incorrect landing or direct contact such as a collision. In most ACL injuries, the ligament splits in two, making the knee unstable.


DO ALL ACL INJURY REQUIRE SURGERY?

Not all ACL injury require surgery. You may need surgery if you are:

  • Young and Active
  • An athlete who wants to continue to playing your sport
  • The injury causes pain or affects everyday activities


WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF ACL SURGERY?

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery replaces the damaged ligament with a new ligament called a graft. Generally, a surgeon replaces the ligament with one of two types of tissue grafts:

Autograft: The tissue comes from your own body, usually a tendon from the kneecap or hamstrings.

Allograft: The tendon taken from a deceased donor.


DOES AGE MATTER IN THESE SURGERIES?

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 18-year- old patients. In contrast, autografts fail in about one in every 17 18-year- old patients. As a patient’s age increases, however, so does the chance of success with an allograft. By age 40, there is virtually no difference in the failure rate of an allograft versus an autograft.


WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER ACL RECONSTRUCTION?

After ACL Reconstruction, you will feel tired for several days. Your knee will be swollen, and you may have numbness around the cut (incision) on your knee. Your ankle and shin may be bruised or swollen. You may be able to return to most of your regular activities within a few weeks. But it will be several months before you have complete use of your knee. It may take as long as 6 months to a year before your knee is ready for hard physical work or certain sports. You may need to wear a knee brace when you play sports.


WHY KIMS?

KIMS, one of the best orthopaedic hospitals in Hyderabad, has one of the most highly regarded orthopaedic, joint disease and knee surgery treatment programs. Comprehensive and innovative bone and joint care, along with new ACL reconstruction procedures, are the foundation of the hospital.

KIMS is known for its pioneering team of the best orthopaedic surgery doctors in Hyderabad and also the best ACL reconstruction specialist doctor in Hyderabad. Our team of doctors are dedicated to doing everything possible for our patients while helping to develop and apply the most advanced treatments for bone and joint diseases and conditions, making us the best hospital for knee replacement and best hospital for knee surgery.

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