Our COVID-19 measures remain in place. Feel safe at Sussex Premier Health hospitals. Read our Covid-19 Policy here
Our COVID-19 measures remain in place. Feel safe at Sussex Premier Health hospitals. Read our Covid-19 Policy here
Reconstructive surgery using a graft to repair the affected knee ligament
Knee ligament surgery, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, is usually performed to repair damage caused by an injury.
During the operation, a graft is taken from another part of your knee or from a donor, or is made from a synthetic material, and is fixed in place of the affected ligaments.
1 night
General
Yes
1 – 2 hours
Yes
Tearing the anterior cruciate ligaments (ACL) can be a fairly common sporting injury, causing swelling, restricted movement and knee pain.
Depending on a number of factors, including how much pain you’re experiencing, surgery may be your best option for recovery.
You will have a formal consultation with your Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon. During this time you will be able to explain your medical history symptoms and raise any concerns that you might have.
We will also discuss with you whether any further diagnostic tests such as scans or blood tests are needed. Any additional costs will be discussed before further tests are carried out.
Once you and your consultant have agreed to go ahead with your knee ligament surgery, your consultant and physiotherapist will tailor your personal recovery plan.
On the day of your operation, our ward staff will show you to your own private room. We’ll do all we can to make sure you’re comfortable while you’re with us.
Your private room will have an en-suite bathroom and TV and Wi-Fi facilities.
Once you’re ready, our nurses will help you prepare for your operation. Before your procedure, you will meet with your orthopaedic consultant again and your anaesthetist.
Knee ligament repair is usually performed through keyhole surgery and under a general anaesthetic, which means you’ll be asleep during the procedure. This less invasive method generally involves a shorter recovery time than traditional surgery.
You will usually need to stay at least one night in hospital.
You will see a physiotherapist before the operation, and possibly during your hospital stay, and then as an outpatient for a number of weeks or months.
During the first few weeks you should be prepared to see a physiotherapist twice a week. The amount of physiotherapy required varies, so please follow the advice of your physiotherapist and surgeon.
Once you’re ready to be discharged from hospital, you’ll need to arrange for a friend or family member to take you home as you won’t be able to drive.
For guidance on pain relief and your recovery time, please see our patient information sections below.
If you need them, continue taking painkillers as advised by the hospital.
We will provide you with a supply of all the medicines your consultant feels you need to take home with you after you’ve left hospital, up to 14 days. This may be at an additional cost to some patients.
Walking short distances – little and often – will speed your recovery.
You can apply ice packs (such as frozen peas wrapped in a towel) to your knee up to four times a day to help reduce any pain and swelling.
You must follow your surgeon’s advice about driving and returning to work.
You shouldn’t drive until you are confident that you could perform an emergency stop without discomfort.
Even after you’ve left hospital, we’re still here when you need us.
After knee ligament surgery, we will provide you with all the appropriate medication, physiotherapy exercises, advice on what to do and not to do with your knee and follow-up support.
Typically your consultant will want to see you after your treatment to see how you’re doing. You will also be seen by a physiotherapist.
If you have any questions or concerns about your recovery you can call and speak to a member of the nursing team at any time, please call 01424 757459.
During the operation, a small incision (about 5mm long) is made in the skin over the knee that is being treated. Sterile fluid is put into the joint to help get a clearer picture. Another small incision is made for the arthroscope (a long, thin telescope with a light source and camera). Your surgeon then looks into the joint, either directly through the arthroscope, or at pictures it sends to a video monitor.
Surgical instruments are inserted through further small cuts. The torn ligaments are trimmed and the knee is prepared for the replacement graft. The graft is shaped, attached to the bones and fixed in place, usually with screws.
At the end of the procedure, the fluid is drained out of the joint. The incisions are closed with stitches or adhesive strips. The operation usually lasts one to two hours.
While the procedure is normally performed using keyhole surgery, a small number of people need surgery to open up the knee joint. Your surgeon will discuss which procedure is most suitable for you.
Your surgery will be performed by your consultant surgeon.
On rare occasions, complications following knee ligament surgery can occur, such as infection of the wound or joint, damage to nearby nerves or blood vessels, and tears or stretches to the graft.
The chance of complications depends on the exact operation you are having and other factors such as your general health.
Your consultant will talk to you about the possible risks and complications of having this procedure and how they apply to you.
Speak to a member of our team
01424 757400 
info@sussexpremierhealth.com 
01424 757400