The ACL is a ligament that runs through the middle of the knee. Its primary job is to keep the tibia and femur in their proper place. If the ACL does not function properly, then the tibia may start to poke out in front of the femur. Since the ACL plays such a crucial role, it can be nearly impossible to move when the ligament is sprained or torn. If you have severely injured your knee, then arthroscopic ACL reconstruction may be necessary.
ACL reconstruction is a surgical procedure designed to rebuild the ligament in the middle of your knee. Failing to repair the ACL in a timely manner will cause intense knee pain while also making it impossible to place any weight on the knee. This surgery is vitally important if you plan on performing any physical activities in the future. There are very few risks associated with ACL reconstruction, so you do not have any reasons to put off the procedure any longer.
During the ACL reconstruction procedure, Dr. Mattalino will use a special tube with a tiny camera to see what is happening on a monitor. From there, he will use a graft to fix the damage that was done to the ACL. The graft is usually taken from your own body.
In order to regain normal strength in your knee, it may be best to undergo a physical therapy program. Everyone responds to the therapy at different rates, so it is impossible to pinpoint an exact timeline for your recovery. However, once you have fully healed from the procedure and restored normal function in the knee, you can go back to living your life without worrying about your injured knee. You should have no problem playing sports or performing other strenuous activities. Your knee will be completely stable and feel the way it did before the injury occurred.
If you are dealing with a knee injury, we invite you to schedule a consultation at Angelo Mattalino, MD to learn as much as you can about arthroscopic ACL reconstruction. With a main office in Phoenix and state-of-the-art surgery centers in both Phoenix and Scottsdale, we proudly serve men and women in the area with high-quality orthopaedic and sports medicine services. Contact us today to schedule a consultation to learn more about arthroscopic ACL reconstruction.