Recovery Time after ACL Surgery

The ACL ligament is one of the major ligaments of the knee that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone, hence stabilizing the knee joint. The ligament gets injured whenever there is a direct blow to the knee, sudden stopping, or a change in direction.

ACL surgery includes the replacement of the torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament, a major ligament of the knee. ACL surgery is most commonly needed in sportspersons. 

Small incisions are made around the knee joint which is replaced with a piece of tendon from another part of your knee or a deceased donor.

The recovery time after ACL Surgery totally depends upon the patient. Generally, the recovery time is around 9 to 12 months. 

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What are ACL Injury-Symptoms and Causes?

The major cause of an ACL injury involves a sudden stop or change in direction during sports jumping and landing, such as basketball, soccer, football, and downhill skiing.

Symptoms of an ACL injury are:

• A loud pop in the knee
• Rapid swelling
• Severe pain
• Loss of motion
• Instability feeling

When is ACL Surgery Needed?

ACL reconstruction is usually needed in the following cases:

• You're a sportsperson and want to continue playing your sport, especially jumping, pivoting, or cutting.
• Injury in more than one ligament or the meniscus in your knee.
• The injury causes your knee to buckle during everyday activities. 

How is it Performed? 

Before the Procedure

• Before the procedure, the patient is instructed about when to stop eating, drinking, or taking any medication if needed.
• He/ she may also be told to stop taking certain medications a week or so before the surgery, such as aspirin, to reduce the risk of excessive bleeding.  
• Depending upon the suitability, the graft is prepared by taking the tissue from some other part of the body (autograft) or another deceased donor (allograft).

 During the Surgery

• The patient is administered general anesthesia to ensure comfort and ease during the surgery.
• This is followed by making a small incision around the joint in order to hold a thin tube-like camera and other instruments to carry out the surgery.
• The surgeon inserts the arthroscopic instruments inside the joint and takes out the damaged or torn ligament.

After the Surgery

• The incision is closed after the replacement of the graft by using sutures (either soluble or insoluble).
• This surgery is a day-care procedure. Most of the time, the patients can go home the same day. Before getting discharged from the hospital, the patients are made to practice walking with the help of crutches.
• Some of the topmost orthopedic surgeons in India also provide detailed counseling related to post-operative care at home for a smooth recovery.  

The Recovery Period After the Surgery

• Pain management - The patient does feel pain after the surgery, which is a part of the healing process. However, doctors prescribe pain-relieving medication for such short-term pain. These medications include opioids, local anesthetic gel or ointment, and NSAIDs. The patients are recommended to discontinue the use of these medications when the pain is stopped.
• The first 10-15 days should be spent on taking care of the wound of the incision. Icing packs are used to decrease swelling and keep the legs elevated.
• The patient should try straightening the leg and gaining control over the thigh muscles known as Quadriceps. Sometimes the doctors recommend the use of knee braces and other machines to enhance the motion of the knee within its range.
• The next stage of the recovery involves gaining a full range of motion of the knee and strengthening the leg muscles, which include the quadriceps.

How Much Rest is Required in ACL Surgery?

The patient needs to rest for around 2 weeks after ACL surgery. During these weeks, the patient needs to take care of the incision site. 

The patient should:

• Keep the bandages clean and dry
• To reduce swelling, they need to prop their leg on a couple of pillows four to six times a day
• To prevent any blood clots, patients usually need to move their knee right after the surgery

After 2 weeks of surgery, the patient can start putting some weight on their knee. They should also get physical therapy between 2 and 4 weeks after the surgery. Usually, the patient can take six to nine months to return to sports after the surgery.

Cost of ACL Reconstruction Surgery

The best orthopedic hospitals in India perform ACL surgery at a very nominal cost. The cost of ACL reconstruction surgery in India is between 2.5 lakh to 3.5 lakh, and it also depends on the implants. 

Factors Affecting the Cost of ACL Reconstruction

• Types of hospital opted
• The severity of the injury
• An extended stay at the hospital
• Cost of blood products

What is the Success Rate of ACL Surgery?

The success rate of ACL reconstruction surgery is 80% to 90%. Patients who undergo an ACL reconstruction are happy with the outcome and can return to their daily routine early. 

The best ACL Reconstruction Doctors in India are:

• Dr. Prithvi Mohandas: He is a well-known Orthopedic Specialist having 20 years of experience in his field.
• Dr. Jayant Arora: He is a renowned Orthopedic and Joint Replacement Surgeon, practicing for more than 20 years.
• Dr. Atul Mishra: A well-known Orthopedic Specialist having 23 years of experience. He has performed over 5000 knee surgeries, including Joint Replacements and Arthroscopies, in the last 15 years of his service.
• Dr. Ashok Rajgopal: He is one of the best Orthopedic and Joint Surgeons with 32 years of experience. He is also the first to perform total knee replacement using Patient Specific Instrumentation.

Takeaway

Complete ACL tears are usually treated by orthopedic surgeons or sports medicine specialists. ACL surgery is beneficial, but proper training and exercise are vital to reduce the risk of ACL injury. There are numerous hospitals available in India that provide high-quality services at an affordable price for ACL surgery. If you are planning to travel to India for any medical-related issue, make sure to gather all the relevant information for a smooth medical trip.