ACL Reconstruction Surgery
What is ACL reconstruction?
ACL Reconstruction is a surgical operation to replace a damaged or ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) with a new graft (typically taken from the patient's own hamstring, patellar tendon, or quadriceps), through minimally invasive techniques.
The treatment approach for ACL ruptures depends on various factors, including the severity of the injury, your activity level, and your overall health. Not all ACL ruptures require surgery and, in some cases, conservative treatments such as physiotherapy rehabilitation and bracing may be sufficient.
Dr Eardley-Harris has been extensively trained and has experience in ACL reconstruction in children, adolescents and adults, including both non-operative and operative intervention. Should you or your child require surgery, he will inform you of the risks, expectations, and pre-operation & recovery steps in your consultation.
The risks of ACL reconstruction are all rare or uncommon, but include:
- Infection
- Blood clots (DVT or Pulmonary embolism)
- Stiffness in the knee joint
- Re-rupture of ACL graft (2-10%) or opposite knee ACL rupture (10-15%)
- Damage to tendons, nerves and blood vessels including numbness to the front ofthe knee
- Fracture of the patella - in regard to using a patella tendon graft
- Hamstring tightness - in regard to using a hamstring graft
- Arthritis changes to the knee - usually from the damage to the cartilage at the time of injury.
How is the ACL reconstruction surgery performed?
During the procedure, the damaged ACL is replaced with a graft, typically taken from the patient's own hamstring, patellar tendon, or quadriceps. This process can also involve surgery on the meniscus to repair associated damage, graft harvest to source your new ligament, or extra tightening procedures such as the Lateral Extra-articular Tenodesis (LET), where a small piece of the iliotibial band is refashioned for additional stabilisation to the knee along with the reconstruction.
Recovery from your ACL reconstruction surgery requires significant time and dedication to rehabilitation. The rehabilitation may change depending on your injury but it generally involves a time and goal based program to strengthen the muscles around your knee with guidance from a trained physiotherapist to gradually return to sport and other activities.
ACL reconstruction in children and adolescents who are still growing may be different as any surgery needs to respect the size of the child and the growth plates. The rehabilitation program can also be different with a focus on neuromuscular activation and minimising pressure to the growth plates, which can alter the timing and exercises expected for children compared to adults.
Needless to say, in any operation, it is highly recommended to adhere to the advice of your surgeon and physiotherapist during your recovery.
Meet Nathan
He has subspecialty, post-fellowship training in hip preservation surgery and joint replacement, including robotic & technology-assisted surgery across all approaches, including the direct anterior approach. Through compassion, communication, collaboration & competence, Nathan aims to build patient-surgeon trust, helping you understand your condition and the options available to empower you to make better treatment decisions toward your personal recovery goals. With stronger, better-informed patient-surgeon relationships, evidence-based surgical techniques and the latest assistive technology, Nathan aims to provide patients with the best possible care.
Comprehensive Surgical Care
A joint decision between you and Dr Eardley-Harris has been made to proceed with surgery after discussion of the risks and benefits of the procedure.
You may need special equipment to prepare your home for your return.
Comprehensive Surgical Care
Frequently Asked Questions
ACL reconstruction surgery usually takes between 1 and 2 hours, however this can be increased if other structures need to be repaired during the same surgery. Usually patients stay overnight in hospital before returning home the following morning.
Bracing can sometimes be required if another ligament is injured, or if there is a concomitant meniscal tear that needs surgical fixation at the same time. Routine use of brace is not required following surgery.
Your ability to drive will depend on the side of your operation, the type of vehicle you drive, and what type of pain relief you are taking. Dr Eardley-Harris will discuss this with you at your first post-operative appointment but the typical recommendation is to not drive for a minimum of 3-6 weeks.
Many individuals can return to sports and other physical activities following ACL reconstruction surgery. However, the timing and extent of return to activity depends on various factors, including the success of the surgery, the rehabilitation process, and the specific demands of your sport. Your surgeon and physiotherapist will provide guidance on when it is safe to resume activities but the usual return to sport rate is around 12 months.
Let's discuss your personalised treatment plan
Contact Us
