What is Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Surgery?

This is surgery to reconstruct the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in the knee after it is torn. Often, a graft made of tendon is used to reconstruct the torn ligament.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury © 2009 Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

ACL surgery is an elective procedure. This means that surgery is not always necessary; it may depend on your lifestyle and age. The decision to have surgery should be made after talking to your doctor about:

• Your athletic and occupational needs

• The level of joint stability in your knee

• Any other damage to the knee

Surgery may be recommended if you have:

• A complete tear of the ACL

• A high degree of joint instability

• Injury to the knee that affects more than one ligament

• A need to return to sports or other activities that require pivoting, turning, or sharp movements

• No improvement with rehabilitative therapy

Possible Complications

Complications are rare, but no procedure is completely free of risk. If you are planning to have ACL surgery, your doctor will review a list of possible complications, which may include:

• Instability of the knee (rupture or stretching of the new ligament)

• Reconstructed ACL does not work properly

• Kneecap pain after surgery

• Stiffness in the knee

• Loss of full range of motion

• Numbness

• Infection

• Bleeding

• Blood clot formation

• Reaction to anesthesia

Discuss these risks with your doctor before the surgery.

Call Your Doctor

After you leave the hospital, call your doctor if any of the following occurs:

• Redness, swelling, increasing pain, excessive bleeding, or any discharge from the incision site

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