Anterior Cruciate Ligament(Acl)

Cruciate ligaments are one of the four main ligaments that connect the femur and tibia, enable the knee to rotate while maintaining its stability, prevent the tibia from slipping in front of the femur, and move diagonally in the middle of the knee.

Cruciate ligament damage can make a popping sound after injury and impact, and sprains in the leg can be observed when standing. Although not every individual has the same symptoms, knee swelling after injury, pain during joint movement, discomfort while walking, and loss of sensitivity are symptoms of cruciate ligament injury.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament repair operation is minimal invasive operation to repair damaged cruciate ligament. The closed method (arthroscopic) is applied for this surgery. The surgeon takes graft from lower leg to replace it with the damaged or teared cruciate ligament. Generally, the epidural (spinal) anesthesia is preffered for this surgery however sometimes general anesthesia may be applied. The duration of surgery is approximately 1 or 2 hours.

The main aims of this surgery are to provide knee stability and restoring the normal function of the knee joint.

Swelling in the knee, severe pain and limitation of movement are the symptoms usually seen in the early stages after injuries. In long-term cruciate ligament damage, a feeling of slipping in the knee, a feeling of pressing into space and knee instability occur. If cruciate ligament damage is not examined and treated, it will cause knee joint arthritis, meniscus tear and cartilage damage in the future.

Individuals who have the above symptoms after impacts and individuals who have previously received physical therapy and rehabilitation for cruciate ligament treatment but have not resolved are suitable for this operation, regardless of age.

Cruciate Ligament damages or tears are occured during the sports, car accident, falling on the knee or sudden change of direction or stopping. Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair operation is performed to repair or replace the damaged cruciate ligament with another graft which is taken from the lower part of leg. Generally, arthroscopic method (closed) is performed under the epidural (spinal) anesthesia or general anesthesia for the repairment of damaged part however sometimes the surgery can be turn into the open surgery. It lasts 1 or 2 hours.

The hospitalization process will be 1 or 3 days after this surgery. Patients usually start walking with support for a minute or two after the anesthesia effect is gone. Knee exercises are started the next day and the aim is to be able to bend your knee up to 90 degrees. It takes 3 weeks to regain full knee movements. During this period, patients should not walk without crutches. The purpose of using crutches is to prevent excessive load on the operated area.

The recovery period may last 6 weeks however the total healing will last for 1 year. After 10-12 weeks, patients can start light paced walking. On the 5th month, patients can start to sports.

• Correct use of prescribed medicines
• Crutches should be used during the walking
• Knee exercises programme should be started
• Physical therapy should be applied if needed

The purpose of cruciate ligament surgery is to restore normal function of the knee joint. After the operation and completing the recovery period the knee will return to its previous state. Most of patient espicially athletes are turning back their sports and exercises programme after the total healing process is completed.

The cost is vary. The surgeon’s experience, hospitalization process, treatment method, damage situation of anterior cruciate ligament healthcare provider and the location where the surgery will be performed are affecting the cost of this surgery.