ACL Tear Treatment Surgeon in Mumbai
An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is one of the most common and serious knee injuries. The ligament plays a crucial role in stabilising the knee, and its injury can cause significant pain and difficulty in everyday activities. This article discusses ACL tear treatment.
What is an ACL Tear?
The anterior cruciate ligament is the knee joint that helps stabilise the forward and backward movement of the leg. ACL injuries are common in sports that require sudden stops, changes in direction, or hard contact, such as skiing or basketball.
It can happen to anybody, regardless of the age or physical condition. However, women are more likely to experience an ACL than their male counterparts because of different factors like landing style and different anatomy.
Causes and Symptoms
Common causes include sudden pivoting, an awkward landing from a jump, and direct impact in a collision. Symptoms include severe pain, swelling, knee instability, and difficulty holding your weight on the affected leg.
Can an ACL Tear Heal Without Surgery?
A partial tear may not always require surgery, but if it is a completely torn ACL, it will not heal on its own because of the limited blood supply.
Who Needs ACL Surgery?
You need an ACL tear surgery in Mumbai if you fall into any of the categories:
- Active Individuals: Athletes live an active lifestyle through their various sports. Surgery allows them to regain stability and avoid future injuries.
- Severe Tears and Instability: Other individuals with complete ACL tears and persistent knee instability may need surgery to go back to their everyday lifestyle.
- Young Patients: Young people who are involved in high-risk sports will benefit from surgery.
When should you get ACL Surgery?
Timing is very crucial for ACL Reconstruction. Conventionally, surgery is performed 3-6 weeks after the injury to allow the swelling to subside and restore a bit of mobility through physical therapy.
Performing the Surgery too soon may lead to complications like scar tissue buildup and cause knee stiffness. However, waiting for over 6 months increases the risk of the cartilage damage completely and would require the best knee replacement surgeon in Mumbai for additional surgery.
How Does ACL Reconstruction Surgery Work?
- Graft Selection: A new ACL is created in two forms: an autograft and an allograft. For the former, tissues from the patient's hamstring, quadriceps, or patellar tendon are used to create the ligament. An allograft is obtained from a donor, although this is not recommended for younger patients.
- Minimally Invasive Technique: A small incision is made, and specialised instruments are used, although a large incision would be required to remove the graft.
The Recovery Analysis
The timeline of returning to active activities varies from person to person. Studies show that up to one-third of athletes experience another ACL tear on the knee or the other within two years of returning to high-impact activities. However, giving more time to recovery will lower the risk. Complete recovery is important before resuming high-risk activities.
Final Overview
ACL treatment options depend on your lifestyle and the severity of the injury. Nonsurgical treatment may suffice for some, but surgery is often essential for fully active individuals in need of knee stability. Each person's injury is unique, so consult an experienced orthopaedic specialist to determine the best course of action. Visit Mumbai Knee Foot Ankle Clinic for the best care.