ACL Treatment

Restore Stability.

Return to Movement.

Advanced ACL treatment focused on restoring knee stability, protecting joint function and helping patients return safely to an active lifestyle.

What Is the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) and What Does It Do?

The knee has two cruciate ligaments, the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments. These are strong structures that connect the thigh bone (femur) and shin bone (tibia) within the knee joint.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) contributes to knee stability and helps prevent excessive forward movement of the femur relative to the tibia during movement.

How Does an ACL Tear Occur?

An ACL tear can occur following sports-related trauma, particularly in young male patients. It may develop after a rotational injury, especially when the foot is firmly planted on the ground.

The ligament can also tear during a severe twisting injury of the knee or as a result of excessive hyperextension. Sudden stopping or changing direction while standing on one leg can also cause an ACL tear.

At the moment of the tear, patients may hear a popping sound inside the knee and experience a sensation as though the leg has suddenly given way. They may be unable to continue their activity or bear weight on the affected leg.

Significant swelling may develop inside the knee. Meniscus tears and cartilage damage may also occur at the same time.

After the acute phase, untreated patients may experience pain and a feeling of instability, particularly when walking downhill or going down stairs. Patients may describe this as a sensation that the knee is suddenly giving way or shifting forward.

How Is an ACL Tear Treated?

ACL treatment may be conservative or, in many cases, surgical. One of the most commonly used surgical techniques in recent years is arthroscopic reconstruction.

During arthroscopic ACL reconstruction, a ligament graft obtained from the patient or from another source is placed into tunnels created in the femur and tibia and secured using various fixation devices.

The reconstructed ligament will not be identical to the patient’s original ACL.

When a patient’s own tissue is used, the graft may be obtained using two techniques: bone–tendon–bone grafts or tendon grafts.

For tendon grafts, tissue may be obtained from two muscles located on the inner side of the knee.

The surgical procedure takes approximately one hour on average, although the duration may vary.

In ligament surgery, the tendons are secured to the bone using titanium, steel, or absorbable alloys. Absorbable materials gradually dissolve over the following years, while titanium and steel implants do not harm the body and generally do not need to be removed.

What Determines the Success of ACL Surgery?

The success of ACL treatment depends on factors including the surgical technique, positioning of the reconstructed ligament, and postoperative physical therapy.

Patients may begin walking as tolerated on the day after surgery, without placing their full weight on the operated leg.

Provided that postoperative physiotherapy is initiated, the goal is to walk with a single crutch by the end of the second week and without crutches by the end of the third week.

The physical therapy and rehabilitation process is one of the most important factors influencing the success of ACL treatment.