Surgery to repair an ACL is usually done by making small incisions in the knee and inserting instruments for surgery through these incisions (arthroscopic surgery). In some cases, it is done by cutting a large incision in the knee (open surgery) to make the necessary repairs.
Reconstruction or repair of the ACL
Surgery for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries involves either reconstructing or repairing the ACL.
- ACL reconstruction surgery uses a graft to replace the ligament. The most common grafts are autografts using tendons from your own body, such as the tendon of the kneecap (patellar tendon) or one of the hamstring tendons. Another graft choice is allograft tissue, which is a tendon taken from a deceased donor.
- Repair surgery typically is used only in the case of an avulsion fracture which is a separation of the ligament and a piece of the bone from the rest of the bone. In this case, the bone fragment connected to the ACL is reattached to the bone to heal and fuse back together.
Arthroscopic surgery rather than open surgery
Dr. Thane Morgan, MD uses arthroscopic surgery rather than open surgery for ACL injuries because:
- It is easier to see and work on the knee structures.
- It only uses smaller incisions than open surgery.
- It can be performed at the same time as diagnostic arthroscopy (using arthroscopy to find out about the injury or damage to the knee).
- It may have much fewer risks than open surgery.
ACL surgeries are done by Dr. Thane Morgan, MD., who is a board-certified orthopedic surgeon.
Arthroscopic surgery is performed under regional (such as spinal) anesthesia or general anesthesia.
Amarillo Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Center is the right choice for Ligament surgery.