Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure. It is an effective treatment for ACL injuries. However, it is also true that some people need it after an ACL injury while others don’t. The reason is that there is more than one type of ACL injury. So, based on that, treatment varies. To learn more, read the following post.
Knee Anatomy
The knee is the most important joint of the musculoskeletal system. It is a hinge joint that moves 180 degrees. Anatomically, it is composed of the following parts.
- Bone Ends (The Femur, The Fibula, and The Tibia)
- Articular Cartilage
- Meniscus
- Ligaments
- Tendons
- Bursa
- Synovial Membrane
- Muscles
- Nerves
A ligament connects one bone end to another in a joint. The knee joint has four ligaments such as
- ACL or Anterior Cruciate Ligament
- PCL or Posterior Cruciate Ligament
- LCL or Lateral Collateral Ligament
- MCL or Medial Collateral Ligament
ACL pairs with PCL and is located inside the centre of the knee.
Causes & Types Of ACL Injuries
Direct injuries and sudden movements often lead to ACL injuries. Athletes, especially those who engage in contact sports, are most at risk. They often have to perform movements like pivoting, cutting, landing from high jumps etc.
There are three types of ACL injuries. In other words, based on the severity, ACL injuries are divided into three categories.
- Grade 1 (Overstretching or Sprain)
- Grade 2 (Partial Tear)
- Grade 3 (Complete Tear)
Grade 1 injury isn’t that severe while the remaining ones are.
All ACL Injuries Don’t Require Arthroscopy
Now, let’s see why some people need arthroscopy for ACL injuries while others don’t.
Patients who have just overstretched their ACL without tears don’t need arthroscopy for treatment. Such a minor sprain often heals themselves with rest, medicines and physiotherapy. In other words, Grade 1 ACL injury doesn’t require any invasive medical intervention for treatment.
However, this is not the case with Grade 2 and Grade 3 injuries. These don’t heal themselves. Thus, the affected person needs arthroscopy.
If the ligament is partially torn, the surgeon stitches it with small holes arthroscopically. A pencil-thin fibre-optic camera, known as an arthroscope, is inserted first for visualisation and then sutures are made with other similarly thin and less-invasive tools.
Furthermore, Grade 3 ACL injury is the most severe form of ligament damage. The concerned ligament tears into two. This injury cannot be treated with sutures. Therefore, for such a condition, the surgeon has to reconstruct the ligament using healthy tissue from the patient’s body. The procedure is performed with arthroscopy and is known as ACL reconstruction surgery.
In short, whether one needs arthroscopy for ACL injuries depends on how bad the condition is.
If a doctor has recommended arthroscopy, it means your ACL is badly damaged.
Symptoms
One might experience some or all of the following symptoms depending on how badly the ACL is injured.
- Popping sound at the time of injury
- Pain, ranging from mild to severe
- Instability; the knee feels like giving way once weight is put upon it, for example, while standing and walking.
- Swelling
- Redness
- Tenderness
- Reduced Mobility
- Walking Problems
The preceding symptoms might also give rise to mental issues for some patients like bouts of anxiety, depression, mood swings, etc.
Diagnosis
ACL is a soft-tissue structure. Its injuries are often examined with an MRI test.
However, the doctor might also order an X-ray test to check for the signs of bone fractures.
Some patients already have metal implants within their bodies. Thus, MRI isn’t suitable for them and can also prove to be harmful. So, in that case, the knee condition is inspected through CT scanning.
How Successful Is ACL Reconstruction Surgery?
It is the most successful surgery. ACL reconstruction is done with arthroscopy, which is a minimally invasive intervention. Thus, there is the lowest infection and other postoperative complication rates.
During the reconstruction, the torn ligament is removed and subsequently, replaced with a graft, which is a piece of soft tissue made out of either the patient’s own healthy tissue or someone else, often known as a donor.
After surgery, the knee function improves, leading to increased quality of life.
To learn about the cost, visit the following link: ACL reconstruction surgery cost in India.
Prevention
To prevent knee ligament injuries, make sure to abide by the following precautionary measures.
- Avoid turning, twisting, and other harmful movements with legs as much as possible.
- Learn the right technique to pivot, cut or land from high jumps.
- Exercise regularly.
- Reduce weight and keep it to the standard level.
- Sleep well before sports engagements.
- Drink enough water throughout the day to stay hydrated.
- Try to avoid harmful contacts during sports that can be pre-analysed as much as possible.
- After ACL or other knee injuries, ensure the right treatment on time. Don’t ignore and continue to use the same part. It will make the condition worse.
Complications
If you have torn your ACL completely or partially, immediate medical care by a knee specialist or orthopedist is of utmost importance. Book an appointment with the best doctor as soon as possible. Visit the following link to meet with the top doctor: best arthroscopic surgeon in Delhi.
Negligence or carelessness on the part of the patient ultimately creates conditions for knee replacement surgery. It is so because continually using the knee, with the damaged ACL, pressurises the adjacent parts. As a result, it ultimately causes speedy wear and tear of cartilages or early arthritis.
Conclusion
Some people don’t require arthroscopy because their ACL injury isn’t that severe. It can be treated with rest, medicines, biological drugs and physiotherapy very well. However, Grade 2 and Grade 3 ACL damage needs arthroscopy for treatment.
Once the injury occurs, consult a knee specialist on time. Don’t ignore or suppress the pain with painkillers. It will make the situation worse, leading to early osteoarthritis and requirements for knee replacement surgery.
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