ACL surgery

[keen4more]

Dear Fellow members,

I had a meniscus tear on my right knee almost 5 yrs back and underwent a orthoscopy to get it corrected. Went fine for almost 2.5 years and then as luck would have had it, I again injured the same knee while playing. MRI scan revealed that it was an ACL tear this time. So I got the ACL reconstruction done with the doctor using my hamstring as part of the process. To make things worse again, I broke my ACL again after 2 years. The doctors are saying that this this may not be very common but at the same time it is not too uncommon as well. Professional sportsmen break their ACL almost every season (though I doubt this). Is it just coincidence or something else may be causing this to happen so frequently. I did the post surgery exercises regularly. I am 29 yrs old and lead a sedentary lifestyle but was very active sportsman until these strings of injuries marred my lifestyle. I workout regularly just dont do any running.

Pl suggest the research and precautions I should be taking before I go for another ACL reconstruction. I am in India if that help basis the treatment procedures that may be valid here. Heard in US, they take the ACL from dead bodies which is not yet available here.

Any suggestion/ tips will be handy.

Best!

[keen4more]

Thank you for your reply, Dr Kaul. I will be going with the ACL reconstruction again in few months from now. However, I am currently following a gym routine including walking on treadmill at incline angle, cross trainers, cycling and lifting weights, doing squats with weights too. I consulted by doctor and he said that I should be fine doing all this just that I should avoid running and any activity which may result in sudden acceleration/ deceleration. Hope I am on the correct course?

Best!

[S. Kaul, MD]

Hi there!

Your doctor is correct that though recurrent injury to the ACL is not common, it is not very uncommon as well. Sportspersons do actually require multiple reconstructions, though the every season part was a bit of exaggeration. For the time being I would suggest following your doctors suggested management plan and going ahead with a re-reconstruction/ arthroplasty; following which care should be taken to prevent injuries to the joint and avoid excessive weight bearing/ movements. Physiotherapy following the repair may also help with recovery/ improving muscle strength and symptomatic relief.
Hope this is helpful.

Take care!