Cruciate ligament op

Clemens Gödel is a freelancer for the medical team.

More about the experts All content is checked by medical journalists.

A cruciate ligament surgery is used to restore the normal biomechanics and stability of the knee joint, which has been weakened by a cruciate ligament tear. There are a number of different surgical techniques. Which of these is used is decided on a case-by-case basis. Read everything you need to know about cruciate ligament surgery here!

ICD codes for this disease: ICD codes are internationally recognized codes for medical diagnoses. They can be found, for example, in doctor's letters or on certificates of incapacity for work. S83

Cruciate ligament surgery: general

In many cases, a cruciate ligament tear can be treated without surgery. For example, a surgical treatment (cruciate ligament operation) is chosen for athletes because this brings the best long-term results. During the procedure, the injured cruciate ligament is restored (sewn) or replaced. There are various surgical techniques for this. Nowadays, cruciate ligament surgery is performed almost exclusively in a minimally invasive (arthroscopic) manner.

Outpatient or inpatient

Sometimes a cruciate ligament operation is performed on an outpatient basis, but mostly in an inpatient setting. For the inpatient procedure, patients usually have to stay in the hospital for a maximum of five days. You will receive extensive care after the cruciate ligament operation and you can start physiotherapy in the clinic.

General or partial anesthesia

Cruciate ligament surgery can be performed under either general or partial anesthesia. With partial anesthesia, you are awake during the operation. However, the surgical area is so numbed that you don't feel any pain. The operation takes one to two hours, depending on the technique, the extent of the injury and the surgeon's experience.

Cruciate ligament replacement (cruciate ligament plastic)

A torn cruciate ligament can sometimes simply be sutured. In many cases (especially if the ligament is completely torn), however, a cruciate ligament replacement is necessary. There are basically three different types of grafts:

• Autograft: Another tendon from the patient is used to replace the torn cruciate ligament, such as a piece of the patellar tendon.
• Allograft: The graft is a donor's tendon.
• Synthetic cruciate ligament replacement

Cruciate ligament surgery: follow-up treatment

After the cruciate ligament rupture operation, the knee is usually stabilized in a splint for some time. These splints usually allow the range of motion to be gradually expanded.

The cruciate ligament rupture rehab is started as early as possible after the procedure. Initially, the knee is mostly moved passively as part of physiotherapy (by the therapist). This is followed by slow muscle building and coordination exercises. The aim is for the knee to finally regain its full range of motion and to be sufficiently stable. In addition, individual aspects - above all sport-specific requirements (e.g. for professional athletes) - are taken into account. In addition to the qualification of the therapist, the patient's motivation and cooperation are decisive for the success of physiotherapy after cruciate ligament surgery.

Cruciate ligament surgery: when is sport possible again?

There are no clear recommendations as to when someone can return to their usual sport after a cruciate ligament operation. But it usually takes several months. Patients should clarify with their attending physician when and to what extent they can exercise again. If you return to sport prematurely, there is a risk of renewed injuries and failure of the cruciate ligament surgery. Even after completing rehab you have to keep in mind that the affected knee is more sensitive to renewed injuries.

Cruciate ligament surgery: chances of success

The aim of the cruciate ligament rupture operation is to maintain normal knee mechanics and stability with the best possible reconstruction. This works well in most cases. However, the surgical results for the posterior cruciate ligament are not as good as those for the anterior cruciate ligament.

In cruciate ligament surgery, an endogenous tendon is usually used as a transplant, so that no rejection reactions are to be expected. The healing process usually runs smoothly. The graft rarely tears or loosens after the operation.

Possible complaints after the operation are reduced range of motion of the knee joint and laxity of the ligamentous apparatus. The complications of cruciate ligament surgery include infections, bone fractures, venous thromboses, and vascular and nerve injuries

Tags:  news sleep laboratory values