what is acl reconstruction surgery

ACL reconstruction surgery is a procedure that repairs or reconstructs the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is an important soft-tissue structure in the knee that connects the femur to the tibia. The surgery is performed using minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques, in which a combination of fiber optics, small incisions, and small instruments are used. In the surgery, the torn ligament is replaced with a tissue graft, which can be taken from the patients own body or donated from someone else. The type of graft used for each patient is determined on a case-by-case basis. The surgery usually takes 2 to 2.5 hours, and patients can go home on the same day as their surgery. After the surgery, patients need to have a rehabilitation period that is carefully supervised by an appropriate physical therapist, as well as follow-up appointments with the surgeon. The recovery time is quicker and easier in comparison to open surgery, which is how ACL reconstruction was performed in the past.