ACL Tear Surgery in Abu Dhabi

What is ACL Tear/ACL Injury?

An ACL tear is an injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which plays a crucial role in stabilizing the knee by connecting your thigh bone (femur) to your shin bone (tibia). The ACL forms an “X” shape with the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), contributing to the knee’s strength and stability.
ACL tears are common, especially in sports like football. If you experience knee pain after an injury or intense physical activity, it’s important to consult an orthopedic doctor.

Why is the ACL Tear Surgery done?

ACL tear Surgery is often recommended for young, active patients or those with ACL tears that also affect other parts of the knee. The main goal is to restore stability, preventing pain or forward sliding of the knee joint.

Another key reason for acl tear surgery surgery is to protect the articular cartilage in the knee. It also helps safeguard the C-shaped menisci, which act as shock absorbers between the thigh and shin bones. These menisci are crucial for maintaining knee health.

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Who needs ACL Tear Surgery?

Surgery is necessary in the following situations:

• If your knee was injured during physical activity and has lost stability, surgery is often recommended.
• If you need to return to sports or activities that involve quick pivots or sharp movements, ACL reconstruction surgery is usually advised.
• The severity of the injury, as assessed by your doctor, is crucial. If the tear is complete rather than just a small partial tear, surgery is required.
• Your pain level is also a key factor. Even if the ACL tear isn’t severe, surgery may still be needed if the pain is significant.

Why Choose ACL Tear Surgery at Reem Hospital, Abu Dhabi?

At Reem Hospital, our team specializes in treating ACL tears and sports injuries, offering personalized treatment options to support your recovery. Our experts utilize advanced arthroscopic techniques for effective ACL reconstruction surgery. Our skilled surgeons also perform ACL transplant surgeries with precision and provide tailored care throughout both the operation and recovery process.

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Benefits of ACL Tear Surgery

• Restoring knee function
• Maintaining strength and stability after a torn or ruptured ACL.
• Quickly return to high-performance activities
• Experience less cartilage damage over time.
• Slow the progression of osteoarthritis (inflammation and degeneration of the knee joint, especially in individuals with higher body weight).

The success rate for ACL surgery is up to 95%, making it a reliable choice. Additionally, ACL reconstruction is often more cost-effective than non-surgical long-term treatments, which may not be covered by insurance and require ongoing follow-ups and maintenance.

Procedures of ACL Tear Surgery

There are several surgical options for ACL reconstruction, which may vary based on the individual patient’s needs.
The procedure is most commonly performed using arthroscopic techniques, which are minimally invasive and involve one or two small incisions in the knee.
In addition to ACL reconstruction, procedures may be performed if there are injuries to additional structures within the knee, such as:

• Meniscus Repair or Meniscectomy: Repairing or trimming torn meniscus cartilage that lines the joint bones.
• Ligament Repair or Reconstruction: Addressing damage to other ligaments.

Graft Options

Sometimes, orthopedic surgeons use grafts to replace damaged ligaments or cartilage. The principle is to use tissue from a healthy area that can regenerate. The most commonly used allografts include:

• Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Grafts
• Achilles Tendon Grafts

Allografts come from screened cadavers and undergo rigorous testing before use in surgery to ensure safety.

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How to prepare for ACL Tear Surgery?

• Understand the details of your surgery, including the risks, benefits, and available options, and prepare yourself accordingly.
• Inform your doctor about all medications you take and your full medical history, as some conditions or medications may increase surgical risks. Your doctor will advise you on whether to stop any medications before surgery and when to do so.
• Ensure your doctor and the hospital have a copy of your advance care plan, which outlines your health care goals. If you don’t have one, consider preparing one before your surgery.
• Before your surgery, commit to a healthy lifestyle by increasing your fiber intake and stopping smoking to aid recovery.
• The day before surgery, you may need to shower with a special soap containing chlorhexidine, which helps reduce bacteria on your skin and lowers the risk of infection.
• Make sure you have someone to drive to your home, as anesthesia and pain medication will make it unsafe for you to drive.
• Prepare comfortable clothes for after the surgery and be ready if your doctor recommends a hospital stay of one or two days.

Aftercare getting ACL Tear Surgery

After your surgery, the orthopedic doctor will examine you and provide guidance for a smooth recovery. He may recommend resting for one or two days while keeping your legs elevated to reduce swelling and edema. After that, you should gradually start moving to improve blood circulation.

When you’re advised to move, focus on stationary exercises like stationary bike riding or light leg presses during the first three months.

Refrain from swimming or running for five months, but you can swim with your arms (without using your legs) about two to three months after surgery.

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Results of ACL Tear Surgery

ACL tear patients can return to their sport without long-term effects. After your surgery has healed, you’ll be cleared for high-performance activities. However, you will need to undergo rehabilitation for 1 to 3 months to restore your knee’s strength and flexibility.

Be sure to consult your orthopedic surgeon about when it’s safe for you to start playing again and when you can resume practice or training.

Risks of ACL Tear Surgery

Although ACL tear surgeries have a high success rate and safety measures, there are some small risks involved:

• Anesthesia Risks: Potential respiratory problems, heart issues from anesthesia medications, and altered muscle tone or paralysis.
• Infection
• Blood Clot
• Knee Pain
• Knee Weakness
• Knee Stiffness

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