Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction refers to the replacement of the damaged ACL with a tissue to facilitate normal functioning of the knee. ACL is a major stabilizing ligament in the knee, which connects the femur to the tibia. ACL helps provide proper movement of the tibia. ACL also facilitates pivoting or sudden change in the direction of the leg, preventing the damage to the knee.

Damage to the ACL Surgery 

The ACL can be injured in different ways, thus warranting a need for ACL repair. The following scenarios may damage the ACL:

• Collision with a football
• Slowing down while running
• Landing incorrectly after a jump
• Twisting of the knee and the foot in opposite direction

Initial Treatment for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tear

The ACL may not require surgery when the knee is stable when the ligament is not torn completely, or even when you don’t have to strain your knees by active sports. The alternate treatment in such a situation is “RICE” – Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.

Physiotherapy, exercise, and braces for legs can help provide support to the knee. Exercises such as swimming, running in a straight line, and playing golf can be preferred by active individuals if they do not wish to return to an active sports life.

Arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure used for the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the joints. It is performed with the help of a special instrument called an arthroscope. It comes with an attached video camera and a light. What is observed by the camera is recorded and can be viewed by the surgeon on a television monitor.

Arthroscopic knee surgery is an alternative to total knee replacement and other forms of knee replacement surgery. During the knee arthroscopic surgery, small incisions are made to insert an arthroscope and other surgical tools to correct a defect in or around the knee joint. Total knee replacement, on the other hand, refers to complete removal and replacement of the diseased joint with a prosthetic implant.

When is knee arthroscopy required?

Knee arthroscopy is conducted for the diagnosis and treatment of the following conditions:

• Inflammation of the knee
• Injuries such as :
  
  
  • Fractures
  • Ligament tear
  • Tendon damage
  • Torn meniscus
  • Misalignment of kneecap
  • Bakers cyst
  • Meniscus tear
  • Loose fragments of bone or cartilage

A shoulder arthroscopy is a minimally invasive procedure conducted to inspect, diagnose, and rectify the problems involving the shoulder joint. During a shoulder arthroscopy, a small device attached to a camera is inserted into the shoulder to diagnose the reason for pain in the shoulder, among other problems.

Miniature surgical instruments are also inserted into the shoulder to rectify the identified problem. Such a surgery is known as arthroscopic shoulder surgery. When shoulder replacement is conducted with the help of arthroscopy, the procedure is known as arthroscopic shoulder replacement.

At each stage of the arthroscopic shoulder surgery, the surgeon is guided by an image displayed on the television screen. This is a minimally invasive procedure that ensures a quick recovery.

The shoulder has three bones, namely:

• the clavicle (the collarbone),
• scapula (the shoulder blade),
• and humerus (the upper arm bone). 

 A rotator cuff tear, articular cartilage, labrum and surrounding soft tissues can be the cause of pain in the shoulder joint. These areas can get damaged or distorted as a result of some accident. The actual cause of pain can be diagnosed with the help of a shoulder arthroscopy. Sometimes, age-related wear and tear can is also responsible for shoulder joint-related pain and problems.

Symptoms of a shoulder injury include excessive pain in the shoulder joint and stiffness in the shoulder joint that may hinder easy movement of the arm around the shoulder joint. The patient may experience trouble while sleeping with the affected shoulder on one side. Slight swelling can also be observed physically in the joint region. 

 A physician may recommend a shoulder arthroscopy if your shoulder does not respond well to other alternative treatments such as exercising and physiotherapy. Common rotator cuff surgery can be used to conduct rotator cuff repair, removal or repair of the labrum, repair of ligaments and recurrent shoulder dislocation, and bone spur removal. Some of the less common procedures may include fracture repair, cyst excision, and nerve release.

Total hip replacement surgery also called total hip arthroplasty, is a surgical procedure conducted to replace the damaged or diseased hip joint with an artificial joint or prosthesis. The hip prosthesis contains the following three components:

• A stem, which fits into the thigh bone
• A ball that fits into the stem
• A cup which is inserted into the socket of the hip joint

The two types of prostheses used in the total hip replacement surgery include a.) cemented and b.) uncemented prostheses. A combination of both is sometimes used during the surgery, depending on the recommendation made by the patient.

The hip joint surgery is conducted in patients when other non-surgical and surgical alternatives fail to work and relieve the patient of the terrible hip pain. A successful hip joint surgery ensures increased mobility, improved function of the hip joint, and pain-free movement.

There are two types of total hip replacement surgery, differentiated on the basis of whether a single or both the hip joints are replaced. Total hip replacement bilateral refers to the replacement of joints on both the sides of the hips. This procedure is conducted when both the sides are affected.

BEST CANDIDATES FOR BILATERAL HIP JOINT SURGERY

Patients who experience the following symptoms are recommended to undergo bilateral hip replacement surgery:

• Pain in both the sides of the hip, which restricts daily activities such as walking or bending
• Pain in both the sides of the hip that persists even when in resting state
• Stiffness in hip preventing the movement or lifting of the leg
• No relief from the use of anti-inflammatory drugs, physical therapy, or walking support

Unilateral hip replacement surgery is conducted in patients who suffer from osteoarthritis of just one hip joint or those who have damaged or infected joint on one side of the hips.

A unilateral hip replacement surgery is less time intensive and serious than a bilateral hip replacement surgery, which involves removal and replacement of joints on both the sides of the hips.

During the unilateral hip replacement surgery, which is also known as hip arthroplasty, the affected side of the hip is cut open to expose the diseased hip joint. It is cut and removed before transplanting artificial prosthesis.

Some hip replacement surgeons may choose to use the cemented prosthesis, while others may choose uncemented prosthesis. Opening up the hip area to perform the surgery is not necessary if a minimally invasive technique is used to achieve the same objective.

Unilateral hip replacement surgery is the last treatment options for a patient who have not experienced any relief from constant hip pain through other alternative treatments such as physical therapy, exercising, and the use of painkillers.

Best Candidates For Unilateral Hip Joint Surgery

Patients who experience the following symptoms are recommended to undergo unilateral hip replacement surgery:

• Constant pain on one of the  side that makes it difficult to walk, stand, or sit properly
• Stiffness on one side of the hip
• Pain on one side of the hip even when resting

• The knee plays an important role in mobility. However, this joint may get damaged or diseased over a period of time because of an injury or conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis and so on.
• The damage to the knee joint may lead to terrible pain and immobility. A knee replacement surgery is advised when the pain and mobility are not improved despite continuous use of medications and physical exercises.
• A bilateral knee replacement surgery is performed when both the knees are damaged to diseased. If only one knee is affected, then the knee replacement surgeon recommends the patient to undergo replacement of just one knee, a procedure known as unilateral knee replacement surgery.
• Osteoarthritis, post-traumatic arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, knee deformity, vascular necrosis, and swelling and inflammation of the cartilage surrounding the knee are some of the indications for unilateral and bilateral knee replacement surgery.
• A knee replacement surgeon may decide to conduct a total knee replacement surgery or a partial knee replacement surgery, depending on the extent of damage. A minimally invasive surgery can also be conducted with the help of an arthroscope. This type of surgery allows for minimal healing time, quick knee replacement recovery time, and fewer complications.

Knee Replacement Surgery cost varies all across the world, where countries like the US, Australia and Canada provide the treatment at high prices. In countries like Taiwan,India, and Mexico Total Knee Replacement Surgery is far more affordable and is now offered at premium quality heathcare services.The knee joint is the largest joint in the body that aids in the mobility. During a knee replacement surgery, the diseased or damaged knee joint is replaced with an artificial joint made of metal or plastic. Your doctor would recommend a knee replacement surgery to you if you have a progressive pain even during sitting and lying down that leads to decreased or painful mobility.

Conditions that require a Knee Replacement Surgery

The joint ailments that may trigger a need for knee replacement surgery include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Rheumatoid arthritis
• Post-traumatic arthritis
• Knee deformities
• Osteonecrosis or avascular necrosis
• Swelling or inflammation that does not decrease

Depending on whether just one or both the knees are affected, a surgeon may conduct unilateral or bilateral knee replacement surgery. A unilateral knee replacement surgery refers to the removal of the diseased or damaged joint of a single knee and its replacement with prosthesis.

A unilateral knee replacement surgery can be recommended to an individual from any age group, depending on the extent of pain and immobility. The surgery helps provide relief from pain and immobility.

Types of Knee Replacement Surgeries

Total knee replacement surgery:

In total knee replacement surgery, the whole knee joint is removed and replaced with the artificial knee joint.

Partial knee replacement surgery:

The partial knee replacement or unicompartmental surgery involves the replacement of only the damaged part of the knee joint.

Minimally invasive surgery:

The total knee replacement surgery and partial knee replacement surgery can be performed by a minimally invasive procedure. This is an advanced surgical procedure that involves three to five-inch incision or smaller, which causes less pain and fast recovery whereas the usual traditional procedure involves 8 to 12-inch incision.