When is ACL-surgery necessary to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament?
Indications for ACL-surgery (Who Needs Surgery, When, Why, and Goals) • Athletes who regularly perform sports that require pivoting, cutting, and jumping and landing • Patients with recurrent giving way or knee instability, despite 3 to 6 months of an adequate rehabilitation program • Patients with an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear and a reparable meniscus tear • Patients with an ACL tear and other ligament injuries in the same knee ACL-surgery usually is not recommended until the injured knee has full range of motion and muscle control of the thigh (usually 3 or more weeks following injury). In surgical repair of an ACL tear, the torn ligament is replaced because the ligament, when torn, usually cannot be repaired (sewn together). Results after repair of the ligament are not as good as after reconstruction (replacement) of the ligament. The goal of the operation is to restore the function of the torn ligamentthat is, to allow a return to sports that require pivoting, cutting, c
