The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a three to four centimeter long band of fibrous tissue that connects the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone). It helps stabilize the knee joint when performing twisting actions. The cruciate ligament is essential in controlling the rotation of the knee during side stepping, pivoting and landing from a jump.

An ACL injury often occurs in sports, but it can also occur if you twist your knee suddenly or receive a direct hit to the knee. Injury to your ACL is often accompanied by a "popping" noise and the feeling that your knee could give out from under you.

Other signs and symptoms of an ACL injury include:

While swelling and pain may go away on its own, if you have an ACL injury and you return to sports, your knee may be unstable and you risk causing further damage to the cushioning cartilage (meniscus) of your knee.

CT scan (CAT scan): This special study takes detailed 3D images of a bone. CT images take far more detailed images of bones than a standard X-ray.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI): An MRI is a common test used to see athletic injuries. Orthopaedists are able to see soft tissue such as tendons and ligaments as well as bone abnormalities.

Ultrasound: This is a safe and painless test using sound waves to produce pictures of the muscles, tendons, ligaments and other soft tissues of a joint.

X-ray: An X-ray provides detailed imaging of bones and hard structures and can be helpful in viewing whether your injury is associated with a broken bone.

Arthroscopic ACL Surgery Autograft or Allograft Tissue?

To repair the ACL, we perform arthroscopic surgery, which is less invasive and allows patients to recover more quickly. In an ACL reconstruction, the damaged ligament is replaced with a tissue graft from a donor (allograft) or your own body (autograft). The graft is passed through holes in the bone and placed in the same location as the damaged ACL. Once in place, the graft will be "anchored" to the bone using a screw or another type of implant.

An allograft tissue replacement has less pain right after surgery and provides a faster return to daily activities, but it may not be best for highly-active, competitive athletes who put more demands on their body. We use allografts from tissue banks with the highest quality tissue processing standards to ensure the best outcomes.

An autograft tissue is a more natural approach to ACL surgery because it uses your own living tissue. An autograft is a part of a tendon taken from your own hamstring or kneecap that is inserted into the knee joint to replace a torn ligament. It is less likely to re-tear (especially in athletes under 30), but requires longer recovery.

We will help you determine which type of tissue is right for you. In some cases, if you're an older adult who's not athletically competitive, we may recommend an allograft. If you're a young athlete who wants to return to competitive play, chances are high you may have an autograft.

Recovering well from ACL surgery requires rest and patience because it can take up to several months to be able to return to pre-injury functionality. Recovery focuses on building the muscles and coordination needed to prevent further injury and to help keep you active longer.

After ACL surgery, you'll be given crutches to use, most often for a few weeks after surgery. Your orthopaedic surgeon will work with your rehabilitation team to develop a rehab plan and will provide guidance on when you can return to your sport.

We are routinely conducting Ligament Repair surgeries at our Hospital. Dedicated joint replacement specialists, stringent, three-pronged infection control and a dedicated Physiotherapy department ensures higher success rate over the long run. In terms of the financial aspects, apart from cash, we are accepting all major Insurance, TPA and Corporates.