Ligament reconstruction is a surgical procedure that replaces a torn ligament with a graft, which is a piece of tissue. This is most commonly done in the knee, especially for a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).
There are two main types of grafts used in ligament reconstruction:
The type of graft used will depend on a number of factors, including the patient's age, activity level, and the severity of the ligament tear.
Ligament reconstruction surgery is typically performed arthroscopically, which means that the surgeon makes small incisions and inserts a tiny camera and surgical instruments to see inside the joint. The surgeon will then remove the torn ligament and prepare the bone for the graft. The graft is then passed through tunnels drilled in the bone and fixed in place with sutures or screws.
After surgery, patients will need to participate in physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion in the joint. Recovery from ligament reconstruction surgery can take several months.
Here are some of the benefits of ligament reconstruction surgery:
However, there are also some risks associated with ligament reconstruction surgery, including: