ACL Reconstruction

How do you treat a torn ACL?

Does a torn ACL always require surgery?

Often, but not always. A number of patients can continue life largely as normal without ill effects. If you don’t lead a particularly active life you may be able to live with an ACL tear by doing a combination of the following:

  • Modifying your activities
  • Building the muscles around the knee to take on some of the ACL’s workload
  • Retraining the muscles and nerves of the knee
  • Wearing an appropriate knee brace

Talk to Alex about any of the above now:

What does surgery for an ACL tear involve?

Usually, surgery in connection with an ACL rupture means ACL reconstruction. During reconstruction surgery, Alex will take a graft from another tendon, usually the hamstring or central third of the patellar tendon. This functions as a sort of scaffold which becomes the new ACL.

Alex uses keyhole surgery to ‘harvest’ the graft and secure it at the site of the ACL.

Before surgery, Alex will explain his approach with you so you understand what your ACL reconstruction will involve, and why.

>   What is the ACL and what does it do? Find out here

How long does it take to recover from ACL surgery?

ACL reconstruction will typically involve one overnight stay in hospital. Although recovery from the surgery is usually swift, it takes 6-9 months of rehabilitation (including physiotherapy) to return to the levels of activity you enjoyed before your injury.

Providing you follow Alex’s guidance, around 90-95% of patients will be able to return to pre-injury levels of activity.

Talk to the knee surgeon for Cheltenham, Gloucester and the Cotswolds

If you suspect you may have injured your ACL, the quicker you seek medical attention, the faster and more successful your recovery is likely to be.

Book your appointment with Alex now.

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Appointments

To make an appointment please either fill in the contact form and you will be called back by our secretary to arrange a convenient appointment time or get in touch directly.

Call Chrissie Holmyard 01242 246549 at Nuffield Health, Cheltenham.