Ways to repair an ACL tear 

A. Physical Therapy :

• partial ACL tear
• option is best for people that are generally inactive; engage in moderate exercise
• recreational activities

B. Arthroscopic Surgery :

• full ACL tear
• best choice if you're an athlete that wants to continue in your sport
• if the sports consist of jumping, cutting or pivoting
• if more than 1 ligament is torn and/ or the cartilage in the knee is also injured
• patient is young and active
• if during everyday activity the knee is buckling

C. Anterior Cruciate Ligament repair :

• partial ACL tear
• minimally invasive approach
• preserves torn ACL

 How Arthroscopic Surgery Works 

• arthroscopic surgery: a surgical procedure that consist of making small incision in the patients skin and inserting straw size instrument that contains a small lens and lighting system to magnify and illuminate the joint.
• attach the arthroscope to a screen to project on a television screen for surgeon, without "opening" up the joint cavity.
• through arthroscope, surgeon can make final diagnosis.
• through arthroscopic holes surgeon can insert tools to repair ligament within the knee.

A. ACL Reconstructive Arthroscopic Surgery (Fully Torn ACL)

How it works :

• Orthopedic surgeon removes damaged ligament through arthroscopic hole 
• Damaged ligament is replaced with an ACL graft  
• Types of grafts used: allograft and autografts
• Allograft: donor tissue
• Autograft: a graft of tissue from one point to another of the same individual's body

Recovery after surgery :

• insertion sites will heal within days
• physical therapy and/or a program at a rehabilitation center may help speed up recovery and strengthen the area around the joint for better stabilization

Pros for ACL reconstructive arthroscopic surgery :

• easier on patient than "open" surgery
• patients can have as outpatient 
• home within hours after surgery 

Cons to ACL reconstruction arthroscopic surgery :

• most common complication: instrument breakage ( < 1% occurrence)
• infection
• phlebitis (blood clots within a vein)
• excessive bleeding or swelling
• damage to blood vessels or nerves

B. Anterior Cruciate Ligament Repair (For Partial Tear of ACL) :

How it works:

• suture ACL together
• place Kavlar-laced "scaffolding" around the injury site to provide additional support
• provide scaffolding for ligament to rebuild
• allows for earlier return to motion
• providing enhanced protection for ACL ligament to heal

Recovery after surgery:

• recovery time cut ing half compared to reconstructive surgery

Pros for ACL repair:

• less muscle atrophy
• faster recovery (by 1 month compared to ACL reconstructive surgery)
• preservation of nerves and blood vessels
• small pinholes into femur and tibia
• less chance of ACL failure 

Cons for ACL repair:

• not appropriate for patients with fully tone ACL

Work Cited

• "Arthroscopy," OrthoInfo American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Last Reviewed: May 2010, Contributed and/or updated by: Rick Wilkerson, DO, peer-reviewed by: Colin F. Moseley, MD

• A. Macaulay, MD, D. Perfetti, W. Levine, MD, Anterior Cruciate Ligament Graft Choices. Sports Health. 2012 Jan; 4(1): 63-68