Knee Pain Relief: An ACL Injury & How Reconstructive Surgery Can Help Your Knee Problem
What is your ACL?
The acronym, ACL, stands for the Anterior Cruciate
Ligament. Along with your PCL, LCL, and MCL, the Anterior
Cruciate Ligament helps to provide stability to your knee.
Due to its attachment on the femur and tibia the ACL
resists anterior translation of the tibia, in relationship
to the femur. In other words, it prevents your lower leg
from sliding forward in relationship to your upper leg.
ACL Surgery
ACL surgery uses Autografts, (which is a tissue or organ
that is grafted from one tissue or organ in your body,and
subplants that same tissue somewhere else, in your body).
For example, ACL surgeries can use a patient’s own
hamstring or patellar tendon, in place of the torn ACL.
After having an ACL surgery, there is still a chance that a
person can reinjure their anterior cruciate ligament. If
this does occur, a person can undergo a second ACL
reconstruction. A bone graft may be needed, at this point,
because of holes in the bone. The new screws in the second
ACL reconstruction will need a firm hold. The bone graft
allows for these holes to be filled, so that in consecutive
ACL recontruction and the screws in this operation will
have a proper, well anchored fit.
What is an Allograft?
An allograft in this instance would be an ACL, or other
useful tendon taken from one member of the human species
and grafted to a genetically dissimilar person. In an
allograft, the anterior tibialis tendon, the Achilles
tendon, or the patellar tendon can be used from a cadaver.
When using an allograft, there is a possibility that the
graft will be rejected. This may lead to another surgery to
remove the graft and repeat the reconstruction process.
Recovery
The recovery period for this type of surgery will often
include physical therapy, and make use of a well designed
knee brace. Your physical therapist will work with you on
range of motion (ROM) exercises. ROM exercises are used to
regain the flexibility of the ligament. Moreover, ROM
exercises are used to help prevent scar tissue from
forming, and help maintain muscle tone. – In addition, the
use of a post operative knee brace can help provide support
to the knee while it is in this vulnerable position. Later
on, a functional acl knee brace can be used to help provide
meaningful support in activities of daily living. These
knee braces can help promote healing, and help to reduce
pain in your knee as well.
One of the benefits of a reconstructed ACL, is that there
is a high success rate. Studies have shown that if the ACL
retears, it will be due to a traumatic impact or severe
injury. This is not likely to happen, unless you
participte in contact sports.
References :
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) Based on the Random House
Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
D’Amato MJ, Rach BR Jr (2003). Anterior cruciate ligament
reconstruction in the adult section of Anterior cruciate
ligament injuries. In JC DeLee, D Drez Jr, eds.,
Orthopaedic Sports Medicine, 2nd ed., vol. 2, pp.
2012’2067. Philadelphia: Saunders.
Feller JA, Webster KE (2003). A randomized comparison of
patellar tendon and hamstring tendon anterior cruciate
ligament reconstruction. American Journal of Sports
Medicine, 31(4): 564’573.
—————————————————-
If you would like to get more free information just like
this visit us online at http://www.drbraceco.com . Dr.
Brace Co. is an education based site that provides
affordable knee supports. Visit us online now.
