ACL Surgery and Repair

Restoring Stability Through ACL Repair

The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of four ligaments that comprise your knee joint. The posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL) and medial collateral ligament are the remaining three. The ACL’s primary purpose is to aid in the knee’s stability, particularly when making sudden lateral movements, like a V-cut or pivot in basketball. The ACL, along with the other three ligaments of the knee joint, connects the femur to the tibia, running over the middle front portion of the knee. At miVIP Surgery Centers, we consider ourselves to be experts in all aspects of ACL surgery and repair.

The ACL is incredibly important in the functions it enables you to do, but unfortunately, it is also somewhat susceptible to injury, particularly when engaging in sporting activities. Each year, there are more than 100,000 instances of ACL surgery and repair, a figure that comes from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

ACL injuries are sometimes difficult for the injured person to immediately identify, as there may not be an immediate reaction. Instead, you may only feel a distinctive “pop,” later accompanied by several common symptoms:

• Loss of knee stability
• Pain
• Swelling
• Knee becomes tender to the touch

In order to determine the extent of an ACL injury, a physician at miVIP Surgery Center may utilize an MRI or X-Ray and then discuss your treatment options.

How Is ACL Surgery Performed?

Individuals who have suffered a tear generally opt for ACL reconstruction surgeries. This is one of the best methods of joint repair available to restore strength and stability to the knee. Fortunately, the surgery can be performed by the surgeons at miVIP Surgery Centers in a manner that is minimally invasive. This outpatient procedure does involve general anesthesia, which allows the doctor to perform the surgery without the patient feeling any pain.

The surgeon will utilize small incisions around different areas of the knee, using an arthroscope to see within the knee without having to make a larger incision, one that would lengthen the recovery time and increase the likelihood of infection.

The surgeon will then take a graft from another tendon, such as the hamstring, patellar tendon or donor tissue, and use it to reconstruct the damaged ligament. Your physician will also “clean up” any surrounding areas within the knee by removing any injured tissue.

miVIP Surgeons Are Experienced and Knowledgeable

The surgeons here at miVIP are incredibly knowledgeable on the subject of ACL repair, as they have performed countless successful reconstructive surgeries. Because of this experience, our patients can count on receiving excellent care from our surgeons, and can take comfort in enjoying the benefits of a minimally invasive outpatient procedure.

What to Expect After Undergoing ACL Surgery

Once the procedure has been completed, patients should strongly consider undergoing physical therapy. There are a number of exercises and movements that should be performed in order to not only strengthen the new ligament, but to also strengthen the surrounding muscles to provide a better support system for the knee. The time spent recovering from the ACL surgery is often tied to how seriously a patient engages in physical therapy. Recovery times do vary from patient to patient, but most patients are able to resume light activity within a few days, with more rigorous activities such as sports taking a bit longer. Generally, the recovery period lasts about six weeks in total.

Costs Associated With ACL Repair

The cost associated with ACL surgery and repair will vary depending upon your insurance provider. If you are unsure of what your provider will cover, or need assistance creating a financial plan, please feel free to call one of our representatives to discuss your options.

ACL reconstruction surgeries can be extremely beneficial to patients looking to restore the stability of their knee while also strengthening the knee and increasing its flexibility and function. If you are considering undergoing ACL surgery, please call us at 855-496-4847 as soon as possible to schedule a consultation.