An ACL injury is among the most frequently occurring knee injuries. This is particularly the case for athletes and physically active individuals. An ACL injury leads to instability of the knee, pain, and can even make daily activities difficult. It is a fact that not all ACL tears require surgery; however, many patients are often left wondering whether ACL surgery is the right option for them or not. Dr. Shekhar Srivastav, a highly qualified orthopedic and arthroscopy expert, explains that proper and prompt treatment can prevent the risk of damage to knee joint in the long run.
What is an ACL Injury?
An ACL, or Anterior Cruciate Ligament, is one of the major ligaments responsible for the stability of the knee joint. ACL injury is most likely to occur when sudden twisting motions, abrupt stops, or direct hits to the knee, happen. These are also the scenarios in which the athletes can sustain ACL injuries while playing football, cricket, basketball, or skiing, etc.
Some of the usual signs of an ACL injury are:
- A popping sound during the injury occurrence
- Knee swelling and pain
- The feeling of instability or “giving way” of the knee
- Having trouble walking or bearing weight
Different Types of ACL Injuries
The extent of ACL injuries is divided into three classes:
- Grade 1: The ligament is stretched slightly with little instability
- Grade 2: Partial tear of the ACL with moderate instability
- Grade 3: ACL is completely torn resulting in severe knee instability
A person with a minor ligament injury can recover through rest and physiotherapy but a full ACL tear is bound to call for a surgery to get the best results.
When Is ACL Surgery the Right Choice?
Dr. Shekhar Srivastav explains that ACL surgery is the way to go when:
Persistent Knee Instability
It may be time for surgery to fix the stability of your knees if your knees keep giving you problems when you are walking, running, or even climbing stairs.
Active Lifestyle or Sports Participation
People who are engaged in sports and other demanding activities physically often need to undergo ACL reconstruction surgery if they want to return to sports safely without causing further damage to their knees.
Associated Knee Injuries
ACL tear with a meniscus tear of the knee, cartilage damage, or any other ligament injury is a complex problem that will require surgery for proper treatment.
Failure of Non-Surgical Treatment
When the pain, swelling and instability of the knee continue even after treatment with physiotherapy and rehabilitation, in such cases there is no option but to go for surgical treatment.
What Is ACL Surgery?
ACL surgery or ACL reconstruction is a minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery. The torn ACL will be replaced with a graft that is either harvested from the patient’s own tendon or a donor graft.
During the operation, the surgeon will:
- Make small keyhole incisions
- Use an arthroscope for guidance
- Minimize damage of the tissue
- Make recovery quicker when compared to open surgery
In this context, Dr. Shekhar Srivastav employs state-of-the-art arthroscopic methods that enable him to carry out the reconstruction neatly and achieve the stability of the knee over a long period.
Benefits of ACL Surgery
If done at the right time, ACL surgery can provide you with numerous benefits:
- Regains joint stability
- Minimizes risk of further knee injuries
- Prevents development of knee arthritis at an earlier stage
- Makes possible safe return to sports and active lifestyle
- Enhances overall knee function and confidence
Prompt surgical treatment may actually help you to score better long-term results.
Recovery After ACL Surgery
Rehabilitation is crucial in order to get back to shape after the ACL operation.
This includes:
- Initial rest and pain relief
- Started physio program with guidance
- Strength and balance work
- Getting back to sports slowly (usually 6–9 months)
Dr. Shekhar Srivastav is a specialist who devises the most effective rehab programs and also looks after the patients properly till he is sure that they have totally recovered and can proceed safely.
Dr. Shekhar Srivastav specially handles both acute and chronic ACL injuries through the latest arthroscopic techniques in a very professional and caring manner. One of his main focuses is on making sure the patient gets an accurate diagnosis and making ethical treatment decisions that promote the patient’s overall good knee health in the future.
- topics involving small incisions in the operation
- extremely high effectiveness of the treatment
- the patient walking at a much quicker pace than usual
- care after the operation that supports every aspect of the healing process
Conclusion
Yet, you will come to know that few of us might need surgery for the best results after the ACL tear. However, frequent instability of the knee, lifestyle that is too active, and other injuries can cause the need for surgery. Make an appointment with Dr. Shekhar Srivastav, a professional in making the correct assessment, to get a treatment plan that suits your needs which will also help you in regaining the stability and confidence of the knee.