How To Repair Ligament Damage With Reconstruction Surgery
If you play a sport, then it is important to not have any injuries. You need full range of your body's motion. Playing a sport requires contorting your body and moving in different directions. For these reasons, a knee injury can put you on the bench. Read on to find out how to repair ligament damage with reconstruction surgery.
What Is The Purpose Of The Ligaments In Your Knee?
Your knee joint is made up of the medial collateral ligament (MCL), lateral collateral ligament (LCL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). Every ligament has a function in terms of preventing abnormal movement between your femur and tibia. Your PCL stops your tibia from moving too far backward and your ACL stops it from moving too far forward. The MCL and LCL allows your tibia to move from side to side, but not too far.
Your ligaments are also surrounded by soft tissues. However, these tissues do not provide much support. When you have a complete ligament tear, there is a risk of abnormal movement occurring. This results in your knee not being stable and can lead to osteoarthritis.
What Is The Problem With Detecting Ligament Tears?
If you have multiple tears, then it can be hard to determine which ligaments are torn. Your doctor also has to determine the extent of your tear and determine the type of surgery to fix the condition. There is the possibility that the torn ligament cannot be fully repaired, which means your surgery is a failure.
What Is Reconstructive Surgery?
Multiple ligament reconstruction surgery is recommended when you have damage to more than one ligament in your knee. When you have a multi-ligament injury, you are going to need immediate attention. Your doctor will have to use a combination of treatments to determine which ligaments are torn and need multiple ligament reconstruction. These treatments may include an X-ray, MRI and an arthroscopic procedure.
This type of injury usually requires surgery. The surgical procedure reattaches and repairs your ligaments. Your surgeon may use a staged technique. He or she may stitch your ligaments together and schedule another surgery to attach your ligament using a graft. You will need to go through multiple surgeries. The point of surgery is to stabilize you knee and for you to regain normal function.
If you live an active lifestyle, then you may spend a lot of time exercising and playing sports. An injury can slow you down. It is important to get an examination by a doctor as soon as possible.
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