Cruciate ligament injury commonly occurs during sports that involve twisting or overextending the knee. The ligament may be injured in the following ways:

• Slowing down while running
• Sudden directional change
• Landing from a jump incorrectly
• Direct blow to the side of the knee, like during a football tackle

A cruciate ligament injury may cause symptoms such as a knee buckle or feeling or hearing a loud pop sound. A few hours after the injury, you may experience swelling in the knee due to bleeding from the vessels within the torn ligament.

When is a cruciate ligament reconstruction indicated?

Indications of a cruciate ligament reconstruction depend on the severity of the tear and your lifestyle. A completely torn cruciate ligament won't heal on its own; however, a partial ligament tear may heal without the need for a reconstruction procedure.

What does a cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery entail?

Normally Dr le Roux may use arthroscopic surgery to treat a tear. This involves the use of a scope that has a camera attached to it and tiny surgical tools to treat and reconstruct the tear. During the procedure, the orthopaedic surgeon will make small incisions on the knee joint and pump in saline solution in order to expand the knee joint.

An arthroscope and tiny surgical tools will be inserted through the incisions, which will be used to evaluate the ligaments. A graft will be taken from another part of your body and will be attached to create a new cruciate ligament. After the procedure, the incisions will be stitched closed.