What is ligamentoplasty?
Ligamentoplasty is an endoscopic operation in which the anterior cruciate ligament is operated to replace it with a healthy one, donated by the same patient and coming from another area. This is necessary if there has been a joint trauma that has caused the rupture of the ligament in question. The disease presents with severe pain accompanied by swelling in the knee and fluid leakage inside the knee.
Why is it performed?
Ligamentoplasty is performed in cases of rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament. These are located in the central part of the knee and have the function of stabilizing the joint in the anteroposterior direction. The trauma usually occurs as a result of a sprain or hypertension in the knee during a fall or a movement too risky. The procedure not only restores joint stability, but also prevents further damage to the cartilage and meniscus.
Ligamentoplasty is performed in cases of anterior cruciate ligament rupture.
What does it consist of?
This operation restores stability to the knee by removing and then transplanting a ligament from the same patient. In a first phase a healthy ligament is removed and then placed in the area of the damaged ligament. The duration of the procedure usually does not exceed 45 minutes and arthroscopy is used, a type of endoscopic surgery with minimal invasiveness and the possibility of intervening in other disorders at the same time.
Preparation for ligamentoplasty
Preparation for the ligamentoplasty operation consists of removing part of a healthy ligament through a surgical incision. The donor tendons are usually the knee flexors, the patellar tendon and the quadriceps tendon. The use of synthetic materials is generally only recommended in case of a new ligament rupture.
Postoperative recovery
Recovery after surgery usually lasts no more than three days and is fairly straightforward. The removal of the tendon does not seem to cause any mobility problems from the beginning. The patient can now move the limb and position it on the condition that a brace or crutches are used, the use of which should last at least three weeks. In the first two weeks, depending on the specialist’s assessment, medication injections may also be necessary to avoid the possibility of venous thrombosis. In about six weeks the patient will be able to return to his or her daily activities, although he or she will have to wait longer to resume any sport. It is good to clarify that during recovery the ligament gradually stabilizes through a complex biochemical process, so it is good not to overload it, so that cracks do not appear and follow an appropriate rehabilitation program. For more information, consult a specialist in Traumatology.