The History of ACL Surgery in Las Vegas, NV

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is one of the most common medical procedures in orthopedic surgery. To give you an idea of how common it is, doctors in the United States alone perform an estimated 100,000 of these surgeries annually. As with many other kinds of surgical procedures, the treatment of ACL injuries has evolved over the past several decades. What was once a challenging procedure requiring large incisions, post-operative casting and delayed weight bearing has developed into a surgery that is generally completed arthroscopically, often allowing for immediate motion and early rehabilitation.

As ACL surgeons are fully trained professionals, understanding the history of ACL reconstruction and treatment helps them evaluate new patients and reevaluate those who were treated using the older techniques. This also helps surgeons recognize the strengths and limitations of current ACL surgery techniques, as well as gather data for potential further advancements.

Read on for a brief history of ACL surgery in Las Vegas, NV and around the world.

In the beginning

ACL repair reached high popularity in the early 1970s. However, little literature referencing treatment was available at the time, which resulted in varied outcomes and a variety of procedures attempted. Procedures in the 1970s were performed through open arthrotomy—sutures went through the ligament, and then were secured by drilling through the bone. While early results showed promise, ACL repair outcomes over a five-year period were ultimately poor, followed by high rates of recurrent pain and instability. Another approach was to advance, tighten or reorient extra-articular structures as a way to stabilize the knee.

Understanding the need for ACL repair

While the procedures done in the 1970s led to initial success in regards to stability, results deteriorated over time. By the time the 1980s came around, the medical community better understood that isolated ACL injury was the main issue in patients. This clarity came from several key developments, including studies of cadavers. Through the development of new tests and procedures, clinical assessment improved, and MRI and arthroscopy came on the scene to help in diagnosis. Soon, intra-articular ACL reconstruction became a widely used procedure.

Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction

The late 1980s is when the spotlight hit arthroscopy, making it increase in popularity. Another important development during this period was the single-incision technique. This involves drilling the femoral tunnel through the tibial tunnel, but constraints of the tunnel-drilling technique got surgeons looking to move tunnels into less anatomic positions. As this approach had mixed results, surgeons began looking again at ways to restore normal anatomy in a more precise manner.

The challenges ahead

It’s important to have an understanding of ACL injuries and techniques. Surgical treatment has come a long way over the years, but that’s not to say there aren’t challenges ahead. For one thing, recurrent ACL tear rates are still high even with modern reconstruction techniques. Additionally, the risk of osteoarthritis still increases following ACL injury. While the surgery is often effective and certainly much less intensive than it once was, it’s still a complex medical procedure.

If you’re interested in getting more information about ACL surgery in Las Vegas, NV, or would like to schedule a consultation, please don’t hesitate to contact the staff at the office of Bernard Ong, M.D.

Categorized in: ACL Surgery

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