ACL reconstruction offers a return to pain-free mobility whether you’re a top-performing athlete or someone interested in remaining as active as possible throughout your life. The team at Los Angeles Orthopedic Surgery Specialists enjoys a well-deserved reputation for providing outstanding minimally invasive surgeries and rehabilitative services for ACL injuries. Choose from eight convenient locations in the Los Angeles area — Downtown Wilshire Boulevard in Los Angeles, East Los Angeles, Encino, Glendale, Montebello Santa Fe Springs, Tarzana, Thousand Oaks, and Valencia— and schedule your evaluation today. Call the office or request an appointment online.
What is the ACL?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the ligaments in your knee joint that connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia). It helps to maintain knee stability by preventing the tibia from slipping in front of the femur when you walk, run, jump, plant your foot to kick a ball or pivot and change direction.
Why would I need ACL reconstruction?
Injuries to the ACL are common and frequently result in tears or ruptures that separate the ligament.
Because an ACL will not heal independently, patients often need surgical reconstruction of the ligament to restore knee stability. This is particularly true for individuals who wish to remain active in sports such as tennis, soccer, basketball, and other similar activities.
Generally, activities such as cycling and swimming are less demanding on your ACL, and bracing without surgery may provide adequate knee stability following a tear.
However, an ACL injury strains other ligaments and joint structures if left untreated, increasing your risk of meniscal damage, osteoarthritis, and other painful knee problems.
Thus, based on your activity level and the nature of the tear (whether full or partial), your provider at Los Angeles Orthopedic Surgery Specialists may recommend minimally invasive ACL reconstruction to restore knee stability.
What happens during and after ACL reconstruction?
ACL tears do not respond well to suturing the torn ligament back together. Instead, during ACL reconstruction, your surgeon replaces the damaged ligament with a substitute graft made from a tendon. The graft may come from your body (autograft) or donor material (allograft).
During this minimally invasive procedure (arthroscopy), your surgeon inserts a high-definition camera and surgical instruments through small incisions or “portals” that allow access to the knee joint.
Compared with open or traditional surgery, arthroscopic ACL reconstruction decreases trauma to surrounding tissue structures and speeds healing.
Your provider also develops a comprehensive rehabilitation program following ACL reconstruction that restores mobility and helps prevent future injury by strengthening the muscles that support your knee joint.
It does take several months to recover from any ACL injury, but with a customized rehab program, you can generally return to full activity following ACL reconstruction.
Schedule an evaluation at Los Angeles Orthopedic Surgery Specialists today by calling the nearest office or requesting an appointment online.
What is a Ligament?
Ligaments are bands of tough, somewhat stretchy tissue that connect bones and provide joint stability. There are about 900 ligaments in the human body, and most are found in the arms, hands, legs, and feet. Ligaments also help keep the liver, intestines, uterus, and other internal organs in place.
The ligaments involving your joints prevent dislocation while allowing the joint to move in its intended direction. Your knee, for instance, has four major ligaments that prevent the joint from moving side to side or bending backward as you walk, run, or jump.
Ankle ligaments connect your foot to your lower leg and prevent your ankle from collapsing or twisting, while those in your thumb and hand help you grasp and hold objects. Ligaments in your shoulder help hold it in place and provide an extensive range of motion that allows you to rotate the shoulder joint in a full circle.
What happens during ligament reconstruction surgery?
Your surgeon at Los Angeles Orthopedic Surgery Specialists discusses the procedure thoroughly before scheduling ligament reconstruction.
Generally, however, it’s a minimally invasive arthroscopic procedure performed via small puncture-like incisions or “portals” that your surgeon uses to insert a high-definition camera and surgical instruments.
The benefits of arthroscopic surgery compared with open or traditional surgery include smaller incisions, decreased postsurgical pain, and quicker healing.
Full recovery following ligament reconstruction can take several months, during which you participate in a rehabilitation program designed to promote joint health and protect you from future injury.
Schedule an evaluation at Los Angeles Orthopedic Surgery Specialists today for personalized care designed to improve your mobility and orthopedic health. Call the office or request an appointment using their secure online service.