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Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction services offered in Columbus, GA
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction provides an effective, minimally invasive treatment for ACL injuries, including tears and ruptures. At St. Francis Orthopaedic Institute in Columbus, Georgia, board-certified orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist Jake Dunn, DO, has more than eight years of experience doing ACL reconstruction. His knowledge and expertise allow for less pain and quicker recoveries. Call the St. Francis Orthopaedic Institute office to see if you can benefit from ACL reconstruction or book your visit online.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction Q & A
What is anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction?
Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction is a procedure that restores your knee’s strength and stability after an ACL injury. It involves Dr. Dunn removing the damaged ligament tissue and replacing it with a healthy ligament from another part of your body or a human donor (allograft).
Who is a candidate for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction?
You might be a candidate for ACL reconstruction if you:
- Are young and active
- Suffer from continuous knee pain
- Have an injury that causes your knee to buckle while walking
- Play sports and want to continue doing so
Dr. Dunn completes a preoperative evaluation before making treatment recommendations. This makes sure that you’re healthy enough to undergo the procedure.
How do I prepare for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction?
Dr. Dunn reviews your medical history, asks about your treatment goals, and completes a head-to-toe physical exam. He orders bloodwork, urinalysis, and diagnostic imaging to assess the damage to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and surrounding tissues.
Dr. Dunn provides instructions to prepare for surgery. Tell him about the prescription medications and supplements you take. Some drugs, like blood thinners, increase the risk of bleeding and bruising, so you need to stop taking them before your procedure. Similarly, you need to fast the night before.
Since ACL reconstruction surgery uses a general anesthetic, you need a friend or family member to drive you home.
What does anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction involve?
Dr. Dunn does anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction at a nearby hospital. On the day of surgery, you receive a general anesthetic, putting you to sleep.
Dr. Dunn extracts a healthy ligament from your hamstrings or quadriceps, the large thigh muscles. He might use a ligament graft from a human donor.
After collecting the graft material, Dr. Dunn makes small incisions above your knee and removes the damaged ACL tissue. He cleans the area and drills small holes into your thigh and shin bones. He runs the ligament graft through the holes, holding it in place with metal posts, washers, and screws.
Once the graft is secured, Dr. Dunn checks your knee’s range of motion. He then closes the incisions, applies a brace, wraps your knee, and moves you to recovery.
To learn more, schedule an appointment online or by phone.