Επιστροφή
Hip - KneeAnterior cruciate ligament rupture is one of the most serious and frequent sports ligament injuries in the knee, which is treated surgically with excellent results thanks to new, arthroscopic approaches, which ensure the best possible repair of the ligament.
It is a particularly common injury in sports, characterized by great acceleration and deceleration, turns and jumps, such as football, handball, basketball, volleyball, tennis, gymnastics and skiing.
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The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most important stabilizing mechanisms of the knee joint and its loss can provoke a feeling of instability, i.e. that the knee “gets loose” in certain movements and especially during sports activities.
The rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament has a traumatic etiology (cause) and is considered the injury with the most serious effects on the function and long-term health of the knee. It is often accompanied by other knee injuries, such as ruptures of the medial meniscus or medial lateral ligament, as well as osteochondral damage.
Anterior cruciate ligament rupture usually occurs during a sports activity. However, it can also be the product of a fall, collision, car accident, or work accident.
The moment of the injury is not forgotten. Patients describe the rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament with an acute knee pain and noise at the time of the accident. Immediately afterwards, the knee swells and walking becomes almost impossible.
The correct diagnosis of the injury is made through a thorough clinical examination of the knee, when the latter is not swollen. This can be done immediately after the rupture, before swelling develops, or after 48 hours and if the knee has begun to swell, with the appropriate medication and physiotherapy.
At the same time, imaging examination, such as X-ray and MRI, is required to assess any coexisting injuries to the medial collateral ligament, meniscus, etc.
The repair of the anterior cruciate ligament rupture is surgically performed with arthroscopy of the knee with ligamentoplasty, which is the most modern approach.
Ligamentoplasty involves the use of a graft taken from another part of the knee and placed in the anatomical position of the ruptured anterior cruciate ligament.
The two types of grafts most commonly used in ligamentoplasty are the patellar tendon, as well as the tendons of the posterior femurs (semitendinosus).
On the contrary, the use of artificial grafts, for which there has been great enthusiasm in previous decades, has now been abandoned, as they have been shown to be associated with high failure rates. Most importantly, however, they can lead to an inflammatory knee reaction, with devastating effects on the joint.
Why should I have anterior cruciate ligament ligamentoplasty?
The anterior cruciate ligamentoplasty is generally characterized by excellent functional results and has significant advantages, such as:
As an operation, knee arthroscopy with anterior cruciate ligamentoplasty is considered quite safe, however, its success depends, largely, on the surgeon’s skill. It requires great precision and delicacy in the manipulations, that is why its performance requires a specialized and experienced in this technique, orthopedic surgeon.
Following the arthroscopy, the patient remains in the hospital for only 1 to 2 days, while he can get up immediately and walk with the help of bacteria (crutches) . The rehabilitation program includes the gradual recovery of range of motion, strengthening the knee, as well as proprioception exercises.
The return to sports activities takes place after a period of 6 to 9 months, which is the minimum time required for the biological integration of the graft.
Dr. Sakellariou has received the highest level of training in specialized centers abroad and has extensive experience from numerous surgeries in important medical institutions in the USA.
Dr. Sakellariou offers patients with anterior cruciate ligament rupture, the most modern and safe method for dealing with this problem.
If you are experiencing any pain or discomfort, please do not hesitate to contact us.