Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are highly prevalent among football players, mainly due to violent physical contact between players or sudden, improper movements of the legs, which may result in a tear or complete rupture of the cruciate ligament. However, is this type of injury limited only to athletes, or can ordinary people also suffer a torn cruciate ligament during their daily activities?
Below, Dr. Ibrahim Gadou discusses all the details related to cruciate ligament injuries, the indications for surgical intervention, and the procedure of ACL reconstruction.

The Importance of the Cruciate Ligament in the Knee Joint

The knee joint is formed by the articulation of two major bones: the femur (thigh bone) and the tibia (shin bone). These bones are connected by a group of ligaments known as the cruciate ligaments, which include the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), responsible for controlling forward movement of the knee, and the posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), which prevents backward displacement of the tibia.

Surrounding the cruciate ligaments are several cartilaginous structures, most notably the medial and lateral menisci. The leg muscles are also connected to the ligaments and work together to coordinate normal and stable leg movement.

If a person is exposed to severe pressure, a sudden forward or backward movement, or twisting and deviation of the leg from its normal alignment without proper muscular preparation, this may lead to a partial or complete tear of the cruciate ligament.

ACL Surgery

In order for individuals with cruciate ligament injuries to regain movement and return to their normal daily activities as they were before the injury, they need to undergo ACL reconstruction surgery to repair the torn ligament and allow it to heal again. The surgery is performed at Dr. Ibrahim Gadou’s center after several diagnostic tests are conducted to accurately evaluate the condition and determine the severity of the ligament tear and any associated tissue damage.

Diagnosis of Cruciate Ligament Injuries

Doctors diagnose cruciate ligament tears through several examinations, including:

• Clinical examination: This is the most important assessment, during which the range of motion of the affected leg is evaluated, the location of pain is identified, the surrounding muscles are examined, and any swelling is detected.
• MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging): Cruciate ligament injuries are often associated with other joint problems, especially meniscal tears. MRI allows doctors to obtain a complete image of the knee joint, identify damage to the cartilage structures surrounding the ligament, and address these issues during ACL surgery as well.

Steps of Cruciate Ligament Surgery

In the past, ACL surgery was performed through a relatively large incision in the knee area, which exposed the patient to several complications such as infection and required a long recovery period before returning to movement. However, modern medicine has introduced arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments.

Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction is performed in cases of complete ligament rupture through a small surgical incision not exceeding 2 cm, through which the surgeon inserts an arthroscope to fix the ligament and repair the damaged cartilage.

Arthroscopic Posterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Arthroscopic PCL reconstruction is performed for the same reasons and in a similar manner to ACL reconstruction, but through an incision made at the back of the knee joint, in order to control and stabilize the range of motion of the leg.

At Dr. Ibrahim Gadou’s Center, the latest sterilization equipment is used to ensure patient safety. In addition, comprehensive care is provided throughout the treatment and recovery phases until patients are able to return to their normal lives after surgery.