ACL injury treatment and management
Athletes and sportsmen involved in games like football, soccer or basketball are prone to injuries like sprains, muscle tears, and ACL tears. The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the most important parts of the knee and gives the joint balance and stability. It is located inside the knee behind the knee cap and joins the thigh bone with the shin bone and keeps the joint stable.
While injuries like sprains and muscle tears are relatively minor, injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament are severely painful and cause instability of the joint. Muscle tears and sprains can be treated conservatively with physiotherapy and activity modification, but ACL injuries are much more serious and may require surgery. In most cases, ACL tears are associated with other injuries like meniscus or cartilage damage and tend to worsen with time if left untreated.
We have some of the finest orthopedic surgeons and doctors in Faridabad who are capable of providing the best treatment for your orthopedic conditions. To know more about ACL tears and their treatment options, book a consultation with the best orthopedic doctors in Faridabad at Pristyn Care.
Treatment for ACL injuries
Treatment plans for knee injuries include rehabilitation exercises to help restore the strength and stability of the joint, wearing a knee brace for additional support, and changes in your lifestyle, to avoid further damage.
Nonsurgical treatment for a torn ACL- A partial tear in the anterior cruciate ligament can be treated conservatively. Treatment for such injuries includes rehabilitation programs and exercises as guided by a physiotherapist paired with the use of a knee brace and medication for pain management. However, the risk of continued injury to the knee because of prolonged instability prevails in such treatment options. Generally, nonsurgical treatment plans are suitable for:
- Patients who have suffered a partial tear and have no symptoms of instability
- Patients who have suffered a total ACL tear but have no symptoms of instability.
- Patients with a sedentary lifestyle and less physically demanding job profiles.
- Younger patients whose growth plates are still open
Surgical treatment for ACL tears- To treat some injuries, torn tissues and tendons can be sutured together, and surgery is not required. But this is not the case with ACL injuries. The ligaments of the knee cannot be sutured back together as these ligaments are subject to a significant amount of stress and don’t heal because of all the pressure. Instead, a torn ACL has to be repaired surgically with a graft. The graft can be taken from tendons of thighs or shins, or an external donor. After the reconstruction surgery, with time, the ligament will grow along with the graft and restore its function completely.
Minimal Invasive Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction Surgery in Faridabad
As the name suggests, arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that reconstructs the torn anterior cruciate ligament with a graft. The surgery is performed arthroscopically and is usually done as an outpatient procedure. After the surgery, a strict rehabilitation program consisting of physical therapy and follow-up appointments has to be followed to ensure proper recovery and restore the stability and strength of the knee.
What should I know about ACL reconstruction before making a decision?
ACL reconstruction surgery is major surgery, and you should discuss it sufficiently with your doctor before deciding for or against it. Try to understand the procedure, its benefits, and potential risks and complications. If you have any questions about ACL reconstruction surgery, feel free to talk to your surgeon.
You will have to follow some simple instructions to prepare for the surgery. Your surgeon will ask for a complete physical examination to ensure you are a suitable candidate for the surgery. You should also meet your physiotherapist, who will be handling your post-operative rehabilitation. In these preoperative visits, you will be explained the entire process of recovery and will be taught to use walking aids or crutches. Lastly, you will be asked not to eat or drink anything after midnight the night before the surgery.
What happens during an ACL reconstruction?
Minimally invasive ACL reconstruction is performed without the help of an arthroscope, which is a surgical instrument having a small camera at its end. The arthroscope is inserted in the knee through a small incision, and the inside of the knee is represented on a screen. Then, through another incision, surgical tools are inserted and the graft is placed and secured with special screws. Once the surgery is completed, the incisions are stitched up.
ACL reconstruction surgery is a minimally invasive procedure and does not involve any large incisions. Because of this, chances of bleeding are considerably reduced, and the recovery period is shortened too. After the surgery, you will undergo some physical therapy at the hospital before you are sent home.
The rehabilitation program will continue for several months, and you will be required to go for regular check-ups. The physiotherapy exercises will help restore the strength and stability of the knee and the follow-ups will help detect any potential issues or complications.
Post-operative care
Your physiotherapy will begin right after the surgery. You will be asked to try to stand and take a few steps with the help of a walking aid. Our physiotherapist and surgeon will make a plan for your rehabilitation at home to ensure the best outcome of the surgery.
At the beginning of the rehabilitation program, your physiotherapist will work towards relieving any discomforting symptoms like pain, stiffness, limited range of motion, etc. As your condition progresses, the focus of your physiotherapist will shift towards restoring the strength and stability of the knee joint. Once you have recovered fully, you will be given proper instructions to safely return to your routine activities.
Signs of complications post-surgery
ACL reconstruction surgeries have an impressively high success rate of 85 to 95%. But in some special cases, complications may arise during the recovery period. In case you notice anything suspicious, contact your surgeon immediately and book an appointment. Some signs of complications that you should beware of are listed below.
- Uncontrolled bleeding: The surgical wound is consistently bleeding and is soaking the dressing. If this happens, raise your leg with the help of some pillows and press the area for about 40 minutes and apply ice.
- Severe pain: If the pain doesn’t subside post-surgery even after taking prescribed medication, call your surgeon and book an appointment.
- Persistent fever: If your body temperature stays higher than the normal range persistently, it may be a sign of an infection.
- Swelling in the operated leg: If your toes start getting old or change color, or if your foot and ankle become swollen, or if you feel like you are losing sensation in your leg and foot, visit your doctor immediately.
Why choose Pristyn Care for ACL Reconstruction Surgery?
The dedicated team of doctors and surgeons at Pristyn Care understands how difficult and painful it is to suffer from joint problems. The orthopedic surgeons of Pristyn Care are trained to perform minimally invasive arthroscopic surgeries that minimize chances of complications to make recovery much more convenient for you. To consult with an orthopedic surgeon to know about your treatment options, book an appointment online or telephonically.