acl

so i tore my acl and i have to get surgery in a few weeks. this is what i've learned about it...

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most important of four strong ligaments connecting the bones of the knee joint. It is often injured. Ligaments are strong, dense structures made of connective tissue that stabilize a joint. They connect bone to bone across the joint.

The function of the ACL is to provide stability to the knee and minimize stress across the knee joint:

• It restrains excessive forward movement of the lower leg bone (the tibia) in relation to the thigh bone (the femur).

• It limits rotational movements of the knee.

• A tear to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) results from overstretching of this ligament within the knee.

  • It's usually due to a sudden stop and twisting motion of the knee, or a force or "blow" to the front of the knee.

  • The extent of the tear can be a partial or a complete tear.

  • Individuals experiencing a tear to the ACL may or may not feel a pop at the time of the injury.

  • It is often injured together with other structures inside the knee joint.

  • After the initial injury, the knee may swell and become painful.

  • Instability or a sensation the knee is "giving out" may be a major complaint following this injury.

  One option for surgery is where tissue from a cadaver (a deceased person) is used to replace the acl, called an allograft.

  Patellar tendon, hamstring tendon, or Achilles tendon allografts can be used as tissues inserted and fixed with the same techniques that are used for autografts (grafts using the individual's own tissue).

  Allografts are a good choice when the patient's own tissue availability is limited. They are useful for complicated ligament reconstructions needing more than one graft (for example, if both anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments need to be replaced) or if both the ACL and patellar tendon are damaged.