Diagnosis
The ACL or anterior cruciate ligament prevents the shinbone from slipping over, or in front of the thigh bone, and gives stability to the knee joint, which makes it one of the most important ligaments in the knee. Injuries in the anterior cruciate ligament are common during athletics, especially in sports that involve movements like leg pivoting, cutting, and planting, and ones that may result in an impact on the knee. This makes players of basketball, soccer, football, skiing, etc quite vulnerable to ACL injury.
A partial or total rupture in the anterior cruciate ligament is known as an ACL tear. The tear can range from mild to severe and can be caused by both contact and non-contact injuries. It is common for athletes and sportsmen to suffer a tear in the ACL because of extreme movements or injuries, However, women are more vulnerable to this injury as compared to men. ACL tears can’t heal by themselves and require special medical attention. The need for specific medical treatments becomes more acute if the injury is severe.
What are the types of ligament surgery?
This may be repaired or reconstructed. Repair involves joining the end of the ligament back to its attachment. Reconstruction involves making a new ligament using spare tendons of the patient’s own body. Both techniques are done via keyhole surgery.
ACL Repair: this is the latest advancement in ACL treatment that has been pioneered by us. At times when the ligament comes off at one end and is preserved more or less 80-90 percent. It is possible to fix it back at the location with specialized devices. This is greatly advantageous as it preserves the native anatomy.
ACL Reconstruction: this is done when the ACL is torn with most of its structure disrupted. In this situation, it is not possible to preserve the native ligament completely, and needs to be reconstructed using spare ligaments in the body (most commonly the hamstring tendons).
PCL: The PCL again may be repaired re reconstructed. When it comes off one end with a piece of bone, the piece can be fixed back. However, if it is torn in the middle it needs to be reconstructed using spare tendons (hamstring tendons).
MCL: The MCL is repaired via mini-open surgery, where the ends are either repaired if done early or reconstructed when done later.
Posterolateral corner: the structures most commonly injured here are the popliteus and LCL. They are reconstructed using spare tendons.
Diagnosis of a Torn ACL
The orthopedic doctor will begin the diagnosis with a physical examination to check the swelling in the knee. The ACL tear doctor will also recommend diagnostic tests like X-rays, MRI scans and arthroscopy for a detailed and thorough diagnosis and to rule out any fractures. Additionally, your ACL tear doctor may also perform the Lachman’s test and a pivot to check if the ACL is still intact or to assess ACL tears.
ACL Reconstruction Surgery
The surgery to repair a torn ACL is known as ACL reconstruction. Medistar’s ACL tear surgeons in Pune perform the surgery with the minimally invasive arthroscopic approach. During the arthroscopic ACL tear surgery in Pune, the surgeon will make small incisions around the knee, usually 2 or 3 instead of one large incision used in the open surgery.
Most ACL tear surgeons in Pune use arthroscopic approach to perform ACL tear surgery rather than open surgery because-
- It is easy to view and access the knee structures.
- Uses smaller incisions instead of one long incision.
- It can be performed at the same time as the diagnostic arthroscopy.
- It involves fewer risks and promotes faster recovery.
If you would like to have additional information on the diagnosis and treatment of ACL tear or if you want to speak to an ACL tear doctor in Delhi, please contact us by calling us or using the book your appointment form on the top.
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