About the Surgery
Introduction
Patient Case History
Pre-Op Preparation
The Procedure
Post-Op & Recovery
Rehabilitation

More Information
About the ACL &
Arthroscopy
Total ACL Tear

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The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) crosses from the back of the femor to the front of the tibia. Although interwoven, overlapping fibers create a stable base for the knee. The ACL is typically injured when a person twists the knee beyond its normal range of motion. A complete tear of the ACL is like the unraveling of rope

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fibers. A partial tear can also occur. Often times other parts of the knee are injured at the time the ACL is injured. The ACL and the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL) are interwoven but the ACL is injured more often than the PCL because the ACL is smaller and more susceptible to twisting.

About Arthroscopy

Arthroscopic techniques have been advanced and refined in the past decade to assist in the repair and reconstruction of the ACL and PCL. The arthroscopic approach has many benefits: the surgeon needs only a very small incision, there is less trauma to the knee, there is better viewing of the procedure by the doctor, there is less pain after surgery and the rehabilitation and healing process are quicker and easier.

The arthroscope probe has a television camera attached to it showing a magnified, clear picture of the joint. The arthroscope allows the physician to look directly into the joints to aid in diagnosis and performing surgical procedures. Arthroscopy is often performed as same day outpatient surgery. This does not require a traditional open surgery or a hospital stay.

Once a tear of the ACL has been confirmed through a combination of clinical examination and MRI (magnetic resonance imaging), the injured knee can then be repaired or reconstructed. A repair without reconstruction is only possible if the ACL is only partially torn and is otherwise of good quality.

Arthroscopic surgery is used for treating a variety of problems including the knee, hip, elbow, shoulder, and ankle. Arthroscopy has been made possible through new fiber optic technology, new instrumentation and new energy sources.

For more information about arthroscopy contact your physician.