Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries and Surgery (Before & After)

Anterior cruciate ligament injuries are quite common among athletes and individuals who are fond of physical activity. These injuries can cause pain, swelling and restriction of movement in the knee. Anterior cruciate ligament surgery is a surgical procedure to repair or rebuild the injured ligament. In this article we have written for you, we will try to answer the questions about anterior cruciate ligament injuries and surgery. Firstly, we will examine what the cruciate ligament is, then how the cruciate ligament rupture is understood and finally how the anterior cruciate ligament surgery is performed.

What Is Cruciate Ligament?

Cruciate ligaments are strong connective tissues in the knee joint that provide stability to the knee. There are two cruciate ligaments; anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). The anterior cruciate ligament is located at the front of the knee and helps to prevent overstretching of the knee. The posterior cruciate ligament is located at the back of the knee and prevents the knee from bending excessively. These ligaments contribute to keeping the knee strong and stable, allowing it to function safely during movement.

How To Recognise A Cruciate Ligament Rupture?

A cruciate ligament rupture usually occurs as a result of a sudden movement or impact during sports. When a cruciate ligament injury occurs, the following signs and symptoms may occur;

• Sudden severe pain in the knee,
• An audible “click” or “pop” sound,
• Sudden swelling and bruising,
• Difficulty or reluctance to move the knee,
• Instability or a feeling of “not being able to walk” in the knee,

If you are experiencing one or more of these symptoms, it is important to consult a doctor to evaluate the diagnosis and treatment options.

How Is Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery Performed?

Anterior cruciate ligament surgery is usually performed with arthroscopic surgical methods. This allows the surgeon to repair or rebuild the ligament by making small incisions in the knee and working with special instruments. During the operation, the torn ligament is removed and replaced with new connective tissue. This new ligament can be from tissue taken from the patient’s own body (autograft) or from tissue taken from another person (allograft).

After the operation, patients need to undergo a period of physiotherapy and rehabilitation. This process helps to regain movement and strength of the knee. Full recovery time may vary depending on the condition and age of the patient. However, usually 6 to 9 months after surgery, most patients can return to their normal activities and sports.

Can Cruciate Ligament Rupture Be Treated Without Surgery?

Cruciate ligament ruptures are a very common knee injury, especially among athletes. These injuries occur as a result of strain or rupture of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments that provide stability to the knee. Surgical intervention is usually recommended for the treatment of cruciate ligament ruptures. However, surgery is not necessary in all cases and in some cases, non-surgical treatment methods can also give successful results.

Whether non-surgical treatment methods will be successful depends on the degree of cruciate ligament rupture and the patient’s lifestyle. In mild cruciate ligament strains, symptoms can be controlled and the healing process can be started with rest, ice application, compression and elevation (RIÇE). Physical therapy and rehabilitation programmes also support recovery by increasing the flexibility and strength of the knee.

In moderate cruciate ligament ruptures, especially in elderly patients and individuals with low activity levels, non-surgical treatment methods can be successful. In this case, a treatment plan is created taking into account the patient’s expectations and lifestyle. Physical therapy and rehabilitation programmes help stabilise the knee and aim to restore daily activities.

For complete cruciate ligament ruptures, surgery is recommended, especially in young patients and individuals with high activity levels. Non-surgical treatment methods are insufficient in this case and surgical intervention is required to stabilise the knee.

Whether cruciate ligament ruptures can be treated without surgery depends on the degree of injury and the patient’s lifestyle. While non-surgical treatment methods can give successful results in mild and moderate cruciate ligament strains, surgery is usually required for complete cruciate ligament ruptures.

Exercises After Cruciate Ligament Surgery

After cruciate ligament surgery, it is important for patients to increase the flexibility and strength of the knee by participating in physical therapy and rehabilitation programmes. The exercises to be applied in this process are determined according to the patient’s postoperative condition and the doctor’s recommendations. Some exercises recommended to be done after cruciate ligament surgery can be explained as follows;

Quadriceps set; This exercise exercises the muscles in front of the knee (quadriceps). Lying on your back on a flat surface, keep the operated leg straight and bend the other leg. Put a pillow under the knee, squeeze the knee to contract the muscles and hold this position for 5 seconds. Repeat this movement 10-15 times a day.

Hamstring set; This exercise works the muscles behind the knee (hamstring). Lying on your back on a flat surface, bend the operated leg and contract the muscles by pressing your heel to the floor. Hold this position for 5 seconds and repeat the movement 10-15 times a day.

Knee bending and stretching; This exercise increases the flexibility of the knee. Sitting on a flat surface, keep the operated leg straight and bend the other leg. Slowly lift your leg by bending it at the knee and stretch it backwards. Repeat the movement 10-15 times a day.

Cycling; With the approval of your doctor, you can increase the flexibility and strength of the knee by using a low-resistance bicycle. Initially, pedal for a short time and at low speed and increase the duration and speed over time.

Swimming; With your doctor’s approval, you can increase the strength and flexibility of the knee with low-impact exercises such as swimming. Initially, do movements without straining your knee until it is suitable for swimming.

The aim of exercises after cruciate ligament surgery is to increase the flexibility and strength of the knee and to enable the patient to return to daily activities and sports. Talk to your doctor before starting an exercise programme and act according to their recommendations.

Healing Process of Cruciate Ligaments

The healing process of cruciate ligaments varies depending on the degree of injury, the treatment method applied and the patient’s lifestyle. In mild and moderate cruciate ligament strains with non-surgical treatment methods, the healing process is usually completed between 6-12 weeks. In this process, flexibility and strength of the knee are increased with physical therapy and rehabilitation programmes.

The recovery period after cruciate ligament surgery may take longer and usually varies between 6-12 months. In the postoperative period, it is important for patients to participate in physical therapy and rehabilitation programmes and perform exercises. In this process, it is aimed to increase the flexibility and strength of the knee so that patients can return to daily activities and sports.

For the recovery process to be successful, it is important that patients comply with the doctor’s recommendations and physical therapy programmes. In addition, adequate nutrition and sleep are among the factors that positively affect the healing process. It is important for patients to be in contact with their doctors about the difficulties and concerns they experience during the recovery process.

When Can I Walk After Cruciate Ligament Surgery?

Cruciate ligament surgery is a surgical procedure applied in the treatment of cruciate ligament tears, one of the common knee injuries, especially among athletes. One of the issues that patients are most curious about after this surgery is when they can walk and return to their normal lives. This process may vary depending on the general health status of the patient, the success of the surgery and the physiotherapy process.

In the first days after the operation, the patient usually starts walking with a crutch or a similar assistive device. During this period, it is important not to put too much load on the knee and to limit the walking distance. During the first week, the patient’s mobility gradually increases and the use of crutches becomes less necessary.

Within the first 2-4 weeks, most patients can walk properly and start light exercises. During this period, the physiotherapy and rehabilitation process is of great importance. Regularly performing the exercises recommended by the specialists helps to increase the flexibility and strength of the knee.

Within 6-8 weeks after surgery, most patients can return to their daily life and start low-impact sports. However, the doctor’s approval should be obtained before starting more intense sports activities. Generally, within 4-6 months after surgery, the majority of patients can do sports at full capacity and return to their old life.

Is Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery Risky?

Anterior cruciate ligament surgery is a surgical procedure that gives very successful results and is widely applied today. However, as with every surgical procedure, anterior cruciate ligament surgery also has some risks. These risks may vary depending on factors such as the general health status of the patient, the centre where the surgery will be performed and the experience of the surgeon.

The main risks of surgery include infection, bleeding, nerve or vessel damage and thrombosis (clot formation). These complications can be minimised with careful postoperative follow-up and appropriate treatment.

The success of the surgery is also closely related to the patient’s compliance with the physical therapy and rehabilitation process. In the postoperative period, the patient’s regular exercise and knee protection by following the recommendations of the doctor and physiotherapist reduces the risks and helps to achieve a successful result.

The risks of anterior cruciate ligament surgery should be shared with the patient in detail before the surgical procedure and the patient should be made to accept these risks. In addition, the centre where the surgery will be performed and the experience of the surgeon are of great importance to minimise the risks. It is important for patients to make a decision by considering these factors before surgery.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Treatment Prices in Turkey

Turkey has managed to announce its name to the world with its investments and studies in the field of health. Especially the latest technological devices used in diagnosis and treatment procedures have been a beacon of hope for many diseases. However, there has been an increase in health tourism in Türkiye.

• Hospitals are large, clean, spacious and fully equipped in terms of technological equipment.
• Turkish doctors are specialized, successful, and skilled in their fields.
• Nurses and carers are friendly and compassionate.
• Finding answers to the questions asked quickly and accurately.
• Patience and understanding of all staff, including the intermediary company dealing with the patient.
• Turkey offers holiday opportunities with its natural and historical beauties.
• Easy transportation.
• Diagnosis, treatment, accommodation, eating, drinking, dressing, and holiday needs can be met at affordable prices.

Such situations are shown among the reasons for preference. We can see that patients and relatives of patients who want to come to Turkey are doing research on Anterior Cruciate Ligament Treatment Prices in Turkey. However, it would not be correct to give clear price information at this stage. Many factors such as the type of disease, stage, diagnosis process, treatment process, and stay in Türkiye affect the price issue. If you want to get more detailed price information, you can contact us. In addition, if you come to Turkey for treatment through us, we can facilitate your visa application process with the invitation letter sent by us to the consulate.