ACL Reconstruction

🦵 What Is an ACL Reconstruction?

ACL reconstruction is a surgical procedure to replace a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) — one of the main ligaments that helps stabilise your knee. The ACL is commonly injured during sports involving twisting, sudden stops, or changes in direction, like football, netball, or skiing.

When it tears, the knee can feel unstable or “give way,” especially during activities involving a change in direction, pivotting, or high-impact activities.

🛠️ How Is It Done?

• The torn ACL usually cannot be stitched back together, so it’s replaced with a new graft.

• The graft is usually made from:

  • Hamstring tendon (most common)

  • Patellar tendon

  • Quadriceps tendon

  • Sometimes a donor tendon (allograft) is used in certain cases

• The surgery is done via arthroscopy (keyhole surgery).

• The new ligament is passed through drilled tunnels in the thighbone and shinbone, then fixed in place with screws or buttons in each bone.

🕒 Recovery Timeline

• Crutches and brace: Usually for the first 1–2 weeks.

• Physiotherapy: Starts immediately to regain motion, strength, and stability.

• Return to driving: Usually at approximately 6 weeks.

• Return to sport:

  • Full return to contact or pivoting sports at 9–12 months, depending on progress and meeting specific return to sport rehabilitation targets

🎯 Goals of ACL Reconstruction

• Restore knee stability

• Allow return to active lifestyle or sports

• Prevent further damage to the cartilage and meniscus (which often happens in an unstable knee)