ACL Reconstruction (Anterior Cruciate Ligament)
- The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is commonly injured in change of direction sports such as netball, touch, rugby and soccer.
- The ACL is important for stability of the knee joint.
- ACL reconstruction is to restore stability of the knee and to reduce the likelihood of further injury to the knee.
- Reconstruction of the ACL is performed by substituting a tendon (which is soft tissue similar to ligament) for the injured AC ligament.
- ACL reconstruction is carried out with a telescope (arthroscope). There is a separate short incision to obtain the donor tendon tissue.
- You are in hospital overnight to make sure you are comfortable.
- You will go home on your crutches on the next morning after the operation.
- A prescription and any certificates needed will be given to you at discharge.
- You will be on crutches for usually 1-2 weeks.
- You require carefully supervised physiotherapy in the weeks after ACL reconstuction.
- You will return to running at 3-4 months after AC reconstruction. Change of direction sports will resume at approximately 9 months.