If you’ve ever watched a sports game, you might have seen a player twist or fall awkwardly, only to be helped off the field with a painful knee injury. This is often due to a torn ACL, a common injury among athletes. But what exactly is the ACL, and how do doctors help fix it?
What is the ACL?
The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is a strong band of tissue inside your knee. It’s one of four major ligaments that help keep your knee stable and moving properly. The ACL connects your thigh bone (femur) to your shin bone (tibia) and helps control the movement of your knee, especially when twisting or stopping suddenly. When the ACL is torn, the knee can become unstable, making it hard to walk or play sports.
How Does an ACL Tear Happen?
Most ACL tears happen during sports, especially in activities that involve jumping, quick direction changes, or sudden stops—like soccer, basketball, football, and skiing. For example, if you quickly twist your knee while your foot stays planted, this can stretch and tear the ACL. People with torn ACLs often feel a sudden “pop” in their knee, followed by pain and swelling.
What is ACL Reconstruction Surgery?
When the ACL is torn, it usually doesn’t heal on its own. ACL reconstruction is a surgery to rebuild the torn ligament, giving the knee its stability back. In the surgery, doctors don’t actually “repair” the torn ACL; instead, they use a new piece of tissue, called a graft, to create a new ligament. The graft usually comes from the patient’s own body—like the kneecap tendon or hamstring tendon—or sometimes from a donor.
How Does the Surgery Work?
- Preparing the Knee: First, the surgeon removes the damaged ACL. This makes room for the new ligament.
- Inserting the Graft: Next, they insert the graft and attach it to the thigh bone and shin bone with special screws or other devices. Over time, this graft will grow into the knee, becoming like a new ligament.
- Securing the Knee: Once the graft is in place, the surgeon checks to make sure the knee is stable and moves properly.
The surgery usually takes about one to two hours and is often done with a special camera called an arthroscope, which helps the surgeon see inside the knee without making big cuts.
Recovery After ACL Reconstruction
Recovering from ACL surgery takes time and hard work. Most people spend several months working with a physical therapist to help strengthen the knee and regain movement. Here’s what to expect:
- Right After Surgery: Patients usually wear a knee brace and use crutches to keep weight off the knee. Ice and rest help reduce swelling.
- Physical Therapy: Physical therapy helps strengthen the knee and leg muscles and improve movement. At first, it might focus on simple movements, like bending and straightening the knee. Over time, exercises get more challenging to help the knee get back to full strength.
- Back to Sports: Returning to sports typically takes about 6 to 12 months. The knee needs to be strong, flexible, and stable to handle the demands of sports safely.
Will the Knee Be the Same as Before?
Most people recover well after ACL reconstruction and can go back to the activities they enjoy. But it does take time, dedication to physical therapy, and patience. The new ligament won’t be exactly the same as the original, but with proper recovery, it can work just as well and allow people to stay active.
Protecting Your Knees
If you play sports, remember to warm up, strengthen the muscles around your knees, and avoid risky moves. Taking care of your knees can help you avoid injuries like an ACL tear, so you can stay safe and active!
ACL reconstruction may sound complicated, but it helps athletes and active people get back to doing what they love. If you’re curious about how the knee works, this surgery is a great example of how doctors can use knowledge and technology to help people heal and stay healthy.