ACL Injuries: What’s Best for Me?

Reconstructive Surgery — Trade-offs

PROS

• Successful reconstruction and rehabilitation can allow you to return to full activities with a healthy knee.

• After rehab, you should be able to participate in sports without the use of a brace with no episodes of instability in which the knee gives way.

• The grafted ligament eventually becomes as strong as or even stronger than the original ACL; re-injury rate after reconstruction is only 1% to 3%.

CONS

• As with all surgery, there are risks of infection and the usual risks associated with anesthesia, as well as possible complications after surgery.

• Immediately after surgery, your mobility will be restricted and normal daily activities will be difficult. This can have a significant impact on your work and family.

• Rehab after surgery is more work than nonoperative rehab. Recovery from surgery can be painful, the post-rehab recovery from surgery can be painful, and the postoperative rehabilitation program can be strenuous and time-consuming.

• The financial cost of surgery and rehabilitation can be significant.

Source: Excerpted from ACL decision guide, www.mayoclinic.com.