When you tear an ACL, often it’s not only the ACL that causes problems with knee stability. In this post, Alex discusses his research role in the development of a widely used procedure which aims to increase knee stability post-ACL rupture.
Delivering the news that an athlete has suffered an ACL tear is always something that makes their heart sink. The anterior cruciate ligament is normally a stabiliser of front to back movements of the knee, but it also stops rotational movements. It’s what enables you to pivot on your knee and not feel as though the joint is about to give way.
When the ACL is torn, the knee joint feels unstable. It used to be a career ender for athletes. Today it still means a lengthy lay-off, although reconstruction has a high success rate.
Beyond the ACL tear
Yet the event that tears an ACL often doesn’t stop at the ACL. Frequently, structures at the front and outside part of the knee (anterolateral area) are torn at the same time. ACL reconstruction may address the core injury, but without wider treatment the knee may not achieve the stability it once had.
The LET technique
When I was at London Imperial College I performed research in this area as part my MD (Res) which led to the development of an operation called a lateral extra articular tenodesis (LET). This procedure seeks to provide increased stability for the knee by focusing on these additional structures. In combination with ACL reconstruction, the LET prevents excessive rotational movements. It’s a technique that has been quite widely adopted by many knee surgeons across the UK.
For the patients on whom I perform this procedure, it helps to ensure that their ACL reconstruction delivers greater joint stability.
To find out more about this procedure, or if you have injured your knee joint and would like help or advice, please call me on 01242 246549 or book an appointment now.