Advances in ACL Surgery: A Look at the Latest Developments

By Dr. Vikram Sharma Head Sports Med, department of Arthroscopy & Sports Medicine Fortis Hospital Jaipur

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a crucial component of the knee joint, providing stability and support to the knee during physical activity. Injuries to the ACL are common during sporty and fast routine life activities , This is common with twisting activities – slip from stairs , on wet floors in sports like basketball and soccer or any other activity which may lead to  sudden changes in direction or jumping.

Traditionally, ACL reconstruction surgery involved using a patient's own tissue Graft, such as a part of their hamstring, to replace the damaged ligament with this new graft. However, advances in technology and surgical techniques have led to new options for ACL surgery.

With advances surgeons are able to distinguish between complete and partial or single bundle ACL tear so in recent days surgery has turned to Augmentation or single bundle reconstruction, this means only replacing damaged ligament and preserve intact part of same.

Another interesting development is the use of stem cells in ACL surgery. Stem cells are undifferentiated cells that have the ability to develop into different types of cells in the body.  In recent years researchers have been exploring the use of stem cells to aid in the healing and regeneration of the ACL. This kind of approach is still in the early stages of development, but it holds promise as a potential treatment for ACL injuries.

In addition to these advances, there is ongoing research into new techniques and technologies that may improve the outcomes of ACL surgery. For example, there is ongoing research into the use of growth factors to promote tissue regeneration and the use of robotic-assisted surgery to improve the accuracy and precision of the procedure.

Conclusion

In conclusion, advances in technology and surgical techniques have led to new options for ACL surgery, which offer patients the opportunity for faster recovery, less pain, and less scarring. With ongoing research, we may expect even more advancements in the future. 

There are many more such advances which we will keep discussing in our upcoming posts. however, if you have any query related, you can WhatsApp us your MRI - 9587077444