ACL reconstruction surgery in bangalore​

An injury leading to a torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) can be a life-changing event not only for athletes but also for anyone. ACL reconstruction surgery at Gleneagles Hospital offers a beacon of hope to people aiming to rebuild their knees to return to their normal routine. In this article, you can find everything about this revolutionary surgery, from what you can expect to the risks and complications related to this surgery.

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament, or simply ACL, is a ligament of the knee joint which connects the femur and the tibia, providing stability to the knee joint and enabling active movements like pivoting, cutting, and jumping. The ACL is an injury-prone ligament, meaning it is a sensitive organ that can be affected by injuries, especially in athletes who engage in high-impact sports like football, soccer, cricket, etc. ACL reconstruction is a surgery that helps in restoring the normal function of the ACL. Considering the sensitivity and importance of ACL and the complexity of the procedure, it is important to choose a premier hospital for ACL surgery. Gleneagles Hospital stands out as the best hospital for ACL surgery in Bangalore due to its state-of-the-art facilities and innovative procedures for recovery from the surgery.

ACL reconstruction is an operation that is done to restore a torn or injured ACL with a new ligament, which is usually taken from the patient's own tissue or from a donor. This operation is for those patients who need to return to high-level activity or competitive sport, in which knee stability is crucial. The operation is done in a minimally invasive manner and by arthroscopic methods, with small incisions and a camera to assist the surgeon in visualising the structures and instruments

ACL reconstruction can be divided into three main types based on the graft used by the surgeon during the surgery. A graft is a tissue that replaces the torn ACL of the knee joint. These types are:

Autograft: Autograft is the usage of the patient’s own tissue for the replacement of a torn ACL. This method is considered the best as it reduces the risk of rejection from the immune system. Autograft is further divided into several types of grafts such as: 

• Patellar Tendon Autograft
• Hamstring Tendon Autograft
• Quadriceps Tendon Autograft 

Allograft: When the tissue for replacement of an injured ACL is taken from a donor, then this method is known as the Allograft. The primary benefit of Allograft is that it does not require the harvesting of tissue from the patient, which makes it a less invasive method. Allograft can be divided into: 

• Patellar Tendon Allograft
• Hamstring Tendon Allograft
• Achilles Tendon Allograft 

Synthetic Graft: This method is still under observation and can be an exciting frontier in ACL reconstruction. The grafts used in the Synthetic grafts method are typically made from non-biological materials. This method’s effectiveness and long-term use are still under the radar to identify any complications. These can further be divided into: 

• Polyester Graft
• Carbon Fibre Graft

An ACL Reconstruction surgery can significantly affect a person’s life, as it can bring various advantages for a person suffering from an ACL injury. Here are some major advantages why you should choose ACL reconstruction over any other knee surgery:

• Restore Knee Stability: A knee injury can cause it to become unstable, which can significantly affect the ability to do everyday tasks. ACL reconstruction helps in replacing a torn ligament, which in turn restores the stability of the injured knee.
• Improve Mobility and Range of Motion: A torn ACL can make it difficult to walk, climb stairs, or do squats. ACL reconstruction can help restore these moments and return to their normal activities.
• Prevent Further Damage to the Knee: A torn ACL can lead to further damage of cartilage, resulting in other disorders such as osteoarthritis and meniscus tears; ACL reconstruction helps prevent this damage.
• Return to Active Lifestyle and Sports: One of the main reasons for choosing ACL reconstruction is to be able to get back to high-level sports or recreational activities. For a sportsperson, a ruptured ACL is a career-changing injury. Reconstruction provides a means to return knee function and eliminate the risk of re-injury, allowing competitors to play at previous performance levels

Proper planning and preparation are essential before the ACL surgery is performed to get the best possible result from the reconstruction. This preparation is not only physical but also mental readiness. These preparatory steps for ACL Surgery in Bangalore are:

• Medical Evaluation: A complete medical evaluation is necessary to determine the patient’s suitability for ACL surgery. The evaluation includes previous surgeries or other health issues that can impact the result of ACL reconstruction.
• Imaging Tests: Imaging tests such as MRI, X-ray, or CT scans are suggested for understanding the extent of knee injury, which is critical for an effective surgical approach.
• Physical Therapy: Physical therapy is a constructive method that helps strengthen the muscles surrounding the affected area, eventually helping to get a successful result.
• Medications & Supplements: It is important to discuss any medications or supplements you are taking, as certain consumables and drugs, like blood thinners, can cause uncontrolled bleeding during the surgery.
• Fasting: Before the actual surgery, you will be instructed to fast for at least 6 to 12 hours to avoid the side effects of anaesthesia given during the surgery.

ACL reconstruction surgery in Bangalore​ and India is generally done under the effect of anaesthesia; however, some patients may also receive a regional nerve block to numb the affected region of the knee. The ACL surgery typically follows these steps:

• Step 1: Incision and Arthroscopy The doctor creates several small cuts on the knee. A small camera (arthroscope) is inserted through one of the cuts to get a clear picture of the joint.
• Step 2: Removal of the Torn ACL The torn ACL will be carefully removed from the knee joint by the surgeon. Step 3: Graft Preparation The surgeon will obtain tissue from the patient's body if an autograft is being utilised. For an allograft, the tissue will be obtained from a donor.
• Step 4: Placement of the New ACL The graft takes the place of the damaged ACL. The doctor uses special tools to make sure the new ligament is properly fixed in the bone.
• Step 5: Closure After the placement of the new graft, the surgeon will close the incisions with sutures or staples and transfer the patient to the recovery room to monitor any side effects or complications arising in the patient

ACL recovery is the most challenging and important process after the surgery. However, with the proper care and the right rehabilitation plan, most patients regain their pre-injury level of fitness. This is why it is always suggested to choose the best hospital for ACL surgery in Bangalore. The recovery time may vary based on the patient’s age, overall health and commitment to the rehabilitation procedure. The timeline for the recovery process may be divided into:

• Immediate Post-Surgery: Immediately after surgery, the patients will be observed to manage any swelling or pain for two weeks. During this, a physiotherapist will work with the patient to improve the knee movement.
• Early Rehabilitation: The timeline for this phase is 3 to 6 weeks, during which most patients can start doing partial weight-bearing activities with crutches, with more strengthening exercises suggested by the Physiotherapist.
• Mid-Rehabilitation: From the second to third month after the surgery, patients are advised to engage in more advanced rehabilitation activities with a focus on restoring strength along with flexibility and coordination.
• Return to Sport: If you are a sports person, then it will take 6 to 12 months more to regain your pre-injury strength after this surgery. In most cases, with proper training and exercises, a person can return to their normal routine in about 9 months to one year.

Although a revolutionary and life-altering procedure, ACL reconstruction surgery can commonly bring some risks and complications to the patient, which generally include:

• Infection
• Graft Failure or Graft Rejection
• Blood Clots
• Knee Stiffness due to formation of scar tissue.

If you are looking for the best hospital for ACL surgery in Bangalore, then Gleneagles Hospital can be the perfect choice for you. The most trusted hospital for over the years with its unique approach towards the treatment of injured ACL. Here are the reasons why Gleneagles is the most trusted choice and should be yours, too:

• A well-planned rehabilitation program after the ACL surgery for faster and better recovery.
• Gleneagles is home to some of the best doctors for ACL surgery in Bangalore, with years of experience and expertise in the reconstruction.
• It follows a multidisciplinary approach to the treatment, meaning various physiotherapists work together with orthopaedics to give the best outcome.
• Modern and advanced infrastructure equipped with the latest tools of ACL surgery.