Who Performs An ACL Reconstruction? Orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine physicians are typically the primary specialists managing treatment for patients with a complete tear of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). They will usually advise an ACL reconstruction operation which involves replacing the torn ligament with a tissue graft that replicates the natural ACL.
Types of Specialists
Sports Medicine Physicians: These doctors have completed training in Family Medicine, Internal Medicine or Emergency Room and then did an additional few years of specific fellowship training regarding all of the body parts that could ever be used to play sports. They typically work in collaboration with orthopedic surgeons to provide a comprehensive rehabilitation plan.
Orthopedic Surgeons—The physicians who do the surgery for ACL reconstruction. They specialize in treating enchondromas through advanced procedures including minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery allowing for a faster recovery and better outcomes.
The Surgical Process
The procedure consists of various essential steps:
Preparation- These include pre-operative assessments for determining the most appropriate graft type, which could either be an autograft (from the patient’s body) or an allograft (from a donor).ACL Reconstruction (ad)
How is the surgery done: The surgery is performed under general anesthesia as a day care procedure and takes about 60 to 90 minutes.
Healing: For most individuals, a repaired ACL will take them through 9–12 months total before returning to sports with surgery being the first phase (months 1–6) and recovery following surgery an equally long endeavor.
Why Early Intervention is Important
They will need to be seen by these specialists sooner rather than later. When delayed, surgery increases the risk for additional injury or complications that include long-term pain and knee joint instability. It is especially important that young athletes receive the care they need to prevent irreversible consequences which could affect their ability to have successful athletic careers.
In conclusion, detection, evaluation and management of ACL tears are mirror processes for the sports medicine physician and orthopedic surgeon in general. Working together, they create an individual plan of care for each patient designed to restore function and prevent future injury.
