Prior to Procedure

Your doctor may do the following:

• Physical exam
• Blood tests
• Knee x-ray
• MRI to see the internal structure of the knee

Before surgery, you will need to:

• Arrange for help at home while you recover
• Talk to your doctor about any medications, herbs, or supplements you are taking
• Talk to your doctor about any allergies you have
• Ask your doctor about assisted devices you will need

You may need to stop taking some medications up to one week before the surgery. Medications that may need to be stopped may include:

• Aspirin or other anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen or naproxen
• Blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin
• Anti-platelet drugs, such as clopidogrel

Do not eat or drink anything after midnight the day before your surgery, unless told otherwise by your doctor.

Anesthesia

Anesthesia will block pain and keep you comfortable during the procedure. Anesthesia methods include:

• General anesthesia is given through an IV. You will be asleep during the procedure.
• Spinal anesthesia is given through the spine. The doctor may give you a sedative to keep you relaxed and ease anxiety.

Description of the Procedure

IVs will be placed in your arm or hands for medications and fluids. The doctor will examine the range of motion of the knee and confirm the ACL tear. Next, the doctor will locate another tendon in your knee or hamstring (called autograft) to reconstruct the torn ligament. Sometimes a donor graft (called allograft) is used. The doctor will form the graft tendon to the correct size.

One or two small keyhole incisions will be made on the top of the knee. An arthroscope (or endoscope) and tiny tools will be inserted into the knee joint. The torn ACL is removed and other damage to the knee is trimmed or repaired. In order to reconstruct the tendon, the doctor will drill holes through bone structures in the thigh and shin. The new graft will be placed through these holes. Needles may be threaded through the holes to suture the new tendon into place. Other devices, such as screws, washers, or staples are also used to hold the graft in place.

Once the graft is securely in place, the doctor will test the knee’s range of motion. Other tests will be done as well. The skin will be closed with stitches. Bandages and/or a brace will be placed on the knee.

How Long Will It Take?

About two hours.

How Much Will It Hurt?

Anesthesia will block pain during the procedure. You will have pain after the procedure. Ask your doctor about medication to help manage pain.

Average Hospital Stay

This procedure is done in a hospital setting. You can usually go home the same day. If you have complications, you may need to stay longer.

Post-procedure Care