ACL reconstruction is a surgery helps restore knee stability after injury to the ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament. However, not all surgeries work properly, and it is important to understand how to look for signs and symptoms of failed ACL reconstruction to take timely action.
If you have had ACL reconstruction surgery in Mumbai or elsewhere, it would be sensible to know the signs and symptoms that may indicate complications. Early detection means that you can swiftly consult an ACL Surgeon in Mumbai before permanent damage is done to the knee.
Early Signs
The earliest indicator that something is wrong in your ACL reconstruction is persistent pain and swelling. While it would be unusual to have no discomfort when recovering from the surgery, it should resolve with time. If this does not happen and you are still experiencing pain more than two weeks after the surgery, and it doesn’t resolve even after pain medication, that’s a negative sign.
Another early indicator is that one cannot return to the full range of motion. If bending or straightening the knee continues to cause pain or feels limited, then there could be a problem with the surgery’s result.
Mid-Term Indicators
Weeks elapse, and mid-term signs of a failed ACL reconstruction begin to manifest. One of the common signs is knee instability, in which the knee feels like it is giving way during routine daily activities such as walking or turning. Such a “giving way” feeling may indicate that the reconstructed ligament is not performing correctly.
Another feeling is that your knee feels stiff or feels less mobile. Even with strenuous rehabilitation exercise, if the knee does not become less stiff, it may be a symptom that the reconstruction was not a complete success.
Long-Term symptoms
Over time, chronic pain while exercising at least occasionally—walking or jogging, for example, or even simple sitting—may indicate a long-term failure of the surgery. Continuous, debilitating pain from physical activity or routine movements could mean that the knee has not healed well or is deteriorating.
Another important long-term complication is the development of osteoarthritis. This degenerative joint disease most commonly occurs as a consequence of chronic instability or malalignment of the knee following surgery. Osteoarthritis is a painful and disabling condition that requires timely diagnosis and treatment.
Diagnostic Methods
i) Physical Examination Techniques
ACL surgeons begin with a thorough physical examination to check the knee’s stability and range of motion. Various specific tests, like the Lachman test, tell the surgeon whether the ligament is working properly after reconstruction.
ii) Imaging Tests: MRI and X-Rays
Imaging procedures like MRIs and X-rays can provide information about the knee’s status. MRIs look into the soft tissues, including rebuilt ligaments and cartilage, while X-rays check for issues connected with a deviated bone alignment or osteoarthritis in its initial stages.
Conclusion
Knowing the early signs of failed ACL reconstruction is important for anyone who has undergone this procedure. However, the variety in the presentation, from persistent pain symptoms in the early stages to some late symptoms such as osteoarthritis, you need to watch out for all possible complications. For that reason, identify any of these symptoms, and don’t hesitate to reach out to an experienced ACL surgeon in Mumbai or the best hospital for ACL reconstruction surgery.
