Possible Complications

What to Expect

Call Your Doctor

En Español

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Surgery

by Cynthia M. Johnson, MA

Definition

ACL surgery is done to reconstruct the ACL in the knee after it is torn.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

Reasons for Procedure

This surgery is done in people who have not been helped by other methods, such as physical therapy and bracing. It is also done when a person has loss of function and problems doing activities.

Possible Complications

Problems are rare, but all procedures have some risk. The doctor will go over some problems that could happen, such as:

Excess bleeding
Problems from anesthesia, such as wheezing or sore throat
Infection
Blood clots
Surgery does not ease symptoms
The knee becomes unstable
Numbness or stiffness in the knee

Things that may raise the risk of problems are:

Smoking
Drinking
Chronic diseases, such as diabetes or obesity

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

The surgical team may meet with you to talk about:

Anesthesia options
Any allergies you may have
Current medicines, herbs, and supplements that you take and whether you need to stop taking them before surgery
Fasting before surgery, such as avoiding food or drink after midnight the night before
Whether you need a ride to and from surgery
Tests that will need to be done before surgery, such as an x-ray or an MRI scan

Anesthesia

The doctor may give:

General anesthesia—you will be asleep
Spinal anesthesia—your lower body will be numbed

Description of the Procedure

A tendon in the knee or hamstring will be used to reconstruct the torn ligament. Sometimes a donor graft is used. The tendon will be formed to the correct size.

A few small incisions will be made on the top of the knee. Tools will be placed through the incisions. The torn ACL will be removed. Any other damage to the knee may also be repaired. Holes will be drilled through bones in the thigh and shin. The new graft will be placed through these holes. Needles may be threaded through the holes to hold the new tendon in place. Other devices, such as screws, washers, or staples are also used to hold the graft in place. The incisions will be closed with stitches.

Once the graft is securely in place, the knee’s range of motion will be tested. Other tests will be done as well. The skin will be closed with stitches. Bandages will be used.

How Long Will It Take?

About 2 hours

Will It Hurt?

Pain and swelling are common in the first 1 to 2 weeks. Medicine and home care can help manage it.

Average Hospital Stay

You may be able to go home the same day. If you have problems, you may need to stay longer.

Post-procedure Care

At the Hospital

After the procedure, the staff may:

Give you pain medicines
Protect the knee with a brace or splint
Teach you how to walk with crutches

During your stay, staff will take steps to lower your chance of infection, such as:

Washing their hands
Wearing gloves or masks
Keeping your incisions covered

You can also lower your chance of infection by:

Washing your hands often and reminding visitors and staff to do the same
Reminding staff to wear gloves or masks
Not letting others touch your incisions

At Home

It will take a few weeks for the incisions to heal. Physical activity will need to be limited during recovery. You will need to ask for help with daily activities and delay your return to work. Full recovery can take up to a year.

Call Your Doctor

Call your doctor if you are not getting better or you have:

Signs of infection, such as fever and chills
Redness, swelling, more pain, a lot of bleeding, or any leaking from incisions
Swelling, pain, or heat in your calves
Pain that you can't control with medicine
Nausea or vomiting
Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain
Numbness in the knee
New or worsening symptoms

If you think you have an emergency, call for medical help right away.

RESOURCES:

American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine
http://www.sportsmed.org

Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
http://orthoinfo.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:

Canadian Orthopaedic Association
http://www.coa-aco.org

Canadian Orthopaedic Foundation
http://www.canorth.org

References:

American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS). Evidence-based clinical practice guideline for management of anterior cruciate ligament injuries. AAOS 2014 Sep 5 PDF.

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dyname.... Updated June 26, 2017. Accessed July 17, 2020.

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at:
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Updated March 2014. Accessed July 17, 2020.

Knee ligament repair. Johns Hopkins Medicine website. Available at.
...(Click grey area to select URL)
Accessed July 17, 2020.

Last reviewed March 2020 by EBSCO Medical Review Board Warren A. Bodine, DO, CAQSM
Last Updated: 3/24/2021

EBSCO Information Services is fully accredited by URAC. URAC is an independent, nonprofit health care accrediting organization dedicated to promoting health care quality through accreditation, certification and commendation.

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.

To send comments or feedback to our Editorial Team regarding the content please email us at healthlibrarysupport@ebsco.com. Our Health Library Support team will respond to your email request within 2 business days.