Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction

About Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction

Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction repairs a torn anterior cruciate ligament, one of the main stabilizing ligaments of the knee that is frequently injured during sports involving sudden pivoting, jumping, or direction changes. Because a torn ACL does not reliably heal on its own, surgeons reconstruct it using a graft, commonly taken from the patient's own hamstring or patellar tendon, or occasionally from donor tissue, which is threaded through tunnels drilled in the femur and tibia and secured with screws or fixation devices to recreate the ligament's original position and function. The procedure is performed arthroscopically through small portal incisions using a camera and specialized instruments, avoiding the need for a large open incision, and typically takes around one to two hours under regional or general anesthesia. It is generally recommended for patients with knee instability, giving-way episodes, or an inability to return to sport or physically demanding work after an ACL tear. Indian sports medicine and orthopedic units offer both hamstring and patellar tendon graft techniques along with robotic or navigation-assisted tunnel placement. Recovery involves a structured, months-long rehabilitation program with progressive weight-bearing, strengthening, and balance training before a safe return to sporting activity.