What Happens During ACL Surgery? A Simple Guide from the Best Sports Injury Centre for ACL Reconstruction Surgery in Ghaziabad

Before the Operation

Surgeons often ask patients to regain knee movement and reduce swelling first, a stage known as “prehabilitation.” Studies suggest that patients who start surgery with good range of motion and muscle strength tend to recover faster.

Expect these steps:

• Clinical examination and MRI review
• Blood tests and an anaesthesia check
• A discussion of graft choices
• Instructions on fasting and medicines

How the Procedure Works

Arthroscopic Technique

ACL reconstruction is done arthroscopically. The surgeon makes small incisions and inserts a thin camera into the knee. The procedure usually takes 60 to 90 minutes under spinal or general anaesthesia.

Graft Options

The torn ligament cannot be stitched back reliably, so it is replaced with a graft. The main choices are:

• Hamstring tendon: smaller incision, less front-knee pain
• Patellar tendon: strong bone-to-bone healing, but more kneeling discomfort
• Quadriceps tendon: increasingly popular, with good strength
• Donor tissue (allograft): avoids a second surgical site, but failure rates are higher in young, active patients

Patients researching a Best Sports Injury Center in Ghaziabad often ask which graft is best. No single graft suits everyone, and the decision depends on age, sport and anatomy.

Understanding the Procedure in Detail

The surgeon drills small tunnels in the thigh bone and shinbone, positions the graft where the original ligament sat, and fixes it with screws or buttons. Accurate tunnel placement is critical. Poor placement is one of the most common technical reasons for revision surgery.

You can read more about the steps in this overview of ACL reconstruction surgery. A skilled sports injury centre in Ghaziabad will also treat any meniscus tear in the same sitting.

Recovery in the First Weeks

Most patients go home within a day or two. In the early period:

• Walking begins with crutches, often on day one
• Swelling is managed with ice, elevation and compression
• Physiotherapy starts within days to restore movement
• Driving is usually possible after two to four weeks

Graft healing inside the bone tunnels takes months, so patience matters even when the knee feels good.

Possible Risks

Complications are uncommon but include infection (under 1%), stiffness, graft stretching and blood clots. Following the physiotherapy plan closely lowers the risk of stiffness.

Final Thoughts

ACL surgery is a well-established, minimally invasive procedure with good long-term results when paired with proper rehabilitation. Understanding each step lets patients make calm, informed decisions.

Athletes looking for experienced care often shortlist AmiCare Sports Injury Centre, searched as the Best Sports Injury Center in Ghaziabad. Good preparation and a clear plan are what make recovery smoother.