What does an Anterior Cruciate Ligament of the Knee (ACL) Reconstruction entail?

Reconstruction of the (ACL) is a quick-resolution surgical procedure, with minimally invasive techniques, feasible to perform during a medical tourism trip.

This treatment is done in a hospital with orthopedic surgery and traumatology services. It is generally outpatient, so you can return to your accommodation or hotel that same day, depending on your progress, although you will require the assistance of a companion.

After surgery, you must perform physical therapy for 4 to 6 months in your place of residence.

The time back to normal life usually lasts between a few days and a few months depending on the type of physical activity you intend to do and the effectiveness with which you perform the physical therapy. 

What is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament Knee Reconstruction treatment process like?

Before the procedure you should refrain from smoking and consuming alcoholic beverages or harmful substances, in addition to controlling any chronic diseases you suffer from and taking care of any acute conditions you may have before surgery, such as colds and fever.

You will have a medical consultation with the orthopedist to discuss your diagnosis and treatment, with your previous studies, if you have them. You may have blood tests and an MRI.

It is advisable to inform yourself in advance about the need to use knee pads, crutches, cold treatment bags and other implements to support your movements in order to purchase them in advance. You must identify and prepare the accommodation or hotel where you will recover immediately after surgery.

On the day of surgery, you cannot drink or eat anything between 6 and 12 hours before the procedure. You must take the medications prescribed by the surgeon and appear at the hospital appointment at the appointed time.

What does the surgical operation of Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament of the Knee consist of?

The operation is performed in an operating room by specialists in Orthopedics and Traumatology, generally under general anesthesia with which the person will be asleep or will not feel pain.

The surgeon makes incisions in the knee using minimally invasive techniques through knee arthroscopy, inserts a camera to view the operation on a monitor in the operating room, and introduces surgical instruments to check and remove the torn ligament. It then reconstructs the ligament with a graft (autograft), usually using tissue from the patellar tendon, which is located at the front of the knee.

To place the new ligament, at the level of the original cruciate ligament, the surgeon makes tunnels in the bone tissue and fixes the new ligament with various methods or screws, then closes the incisions with stitches, places a drain and a bandage.

The surgery lasts between 2 and 2 and a half hours and then the person will be in a room for a while to recover from the anesthesia, before leaving.

What happens once the operation is completed?

You may be able to begin moving your knee on the day of surgery following the surgeon's instructions on the type of movement you can perform.

During the first week, the use of an orthopedic knee brace, a cold treatment bag and crutches to avoid supporting the leg when walking is recommended before starting physical therapy.

Physical therapy may require a continuous passive motion (CPM) machine to slowly regain motion in the knee. After strengthening the thigh muscles, a few weeks after surgery, you may no longer need to wear the orthopedic knee brace.

Benefits of Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament of the Knee.

The (ACL) reconstruction treatment is usually very successful, in the vast majority of cases it manages to stabilize the knee and recover functionality, even for sports activities, about 9 months after the operation, but it requires constant physical therapy. The surgeon may recommend the use of a specific functional knee brace for the ACL. However, sometimes high-impact sports are limited, especially those involving sudden lateral movements such as soccer.

When is Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament of the Knee indicated?

Your orthopedic doctor will determine if you are a candidate to benefit from anterior cruciate knee ligament reconstruction treatment.

However, you may be eligible if you are in any of these situations:

• You have a history of trauma or a strong blow to the knee, for example, during sports activities such as soccer.
• You have pain in your knee, especially with lateral and cross movements.
• Your knee becomes loose and feels unstable during physical activities.
• You feel limited in practicing sports activities such as soccer, tennis, basketball, among others.
• Has damage to several knee ligaments or meniscus rupture.

Recommendations of Medical Boulevard for success in your medical tourism trip with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction of the Knee.

Consult your doctor to find out if you are a candidate or eligible.

• Ask your doctor for information about possible complications that this treatment may have in your case and how to deal with them.
• Follow the instructions of the medical staff and care recommendations throughout the entire process, including postoperative recovery and rehabilitation, and not expose yourself to unnecessary risks, particularly during the return trip to your city or country. 
• Contact the medical team immediately if you have any inconvenience with the procedure performed.
• After Reconstruction of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament of the Knee, you should adapt your lifestyle habits and avoid running or doing high-impact sports, if your doctor has recommended it.
• Consider your medical tourism trip as an ideal time to commit to improving your lifestyle and making a lasting positive change for your health.