About ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Injuries
The ACL is crucial for knee stability. When torn, it can lead to an unstable knee prone to sudden shifts. Although some ACL injuries might heal with rehabilitation alone, many necessitate surgical intervention, followed by an extended rehabilitation phase.
The Surgical Procedure
Each surgeon might employ slightly varied surgical techniques. The prevalent method is the arthroscopic approach, which uses a minuscule camera. This allows for small knee incisions. Surgeons then replace the torn ligament using a graft from another body part or a synthetic graft.
Rehabilitation Duration
Full post-surgical rehabilitation can span up to nine months, segmented into phases. Given that surgeons’ protocols differ, recovery timelines also vary. The graft’s initial post-surgery phase is fragile as it establishes a new blood supply. Around 12 weeks are required for the graft to reach optimal strength, albeit it might never match the original ligament’s strength.
Early rehab emphasizes joint movement restoration and knee muscle strengthening, ensuring no excessive graft stress. As healing progresses, rehabilitation incorporates stability exercises, eventually evolving into a comprehensive program readying the knee for sports activities.
Conclusion
Knee reconstruction recovery might be arduous, but the surgery boasts high success rates, especially when complemented with comprehensive physiotherapy rehabilitation.
Note: This article is for informational purposes only. Always consult a medical professional for personalized advice on your specific condition.