ACL reconstruction surgery
ACL reconstruction surgery is a repair or reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). The anterior cruciate ligament is an important soft-tissue structure in the knee that connects femur to the tibia. The anterior cruciate ligament stabilizes the knee joint when performing twisting and gliding actions. The cruciate ligament is essential in controlling the rotation of the knee during side stepping, pivoting, and landing from a jump.
An ACL injury often occurs in sports, but it can also occur if you twist your knee suddenly or receive a direct hit to the knee. Injury to your ACL is often accompanied by a "popping" noise and the feeling that your knee could give out from under you.
Other signs and symptoms of an ACL injury include:
- Discomfort while walking
- Knee swelling within the first few hours of the injury
- Limited knee movement because of swelling and/or pain
- Loss of full range of motion
- Giving away sensation of knee
- Difficulty in single leg standing/stance
- Pain and discomfort in the knee