Your anterior cruciate ligament, ACL, is an important ligament in your knee that holds your leg bones in place. Injuries to your ACL, including sprains or tears, are common, reports the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, especially among athletes participating in soccer, football and basketball. Taking certain vitamins and supplements before your ACL surgery may help speed your post-surgical recovery, although you should always consult your surgeon or family physician before using supplements for this health purpose.
ACL Surgery
ACL reconstructive surgery, states the Medline Medical Encyclopedia, is performed to replace your ACL with a new knee ligament, and the tissue used to replace your dysfunctional ACL may come from your own body or from the body of a donor --- someone who has recently died who arranged for organ donation. In most cases, tissue used from your own body to replace your ACL --- a procedure known as an autograft --- comes from tendons in your knee or hamstring.
Vitamins and Supplements
Numerous vitamins and supplements may be helpful --- both before and after ACL surgery. Helpful supplements for this health purpose include alfalfa, dandelion, nettle, bromelain, acidophilus, free form amino acid, goldenseal, burdock root, red clover and vitamins A, C, E and D, according to Phyllis A. Balch, certified nutritional consultant, nutrition researcher and author of "Prescription for Nutritional Healing." More clinical research evidence may be needed to validate the use of these supplements for post-ACL surgery recovery.
Featured Supplement
Alfalfa may be a useful supplement to take before undergoing ACL surgery. Alfalfa supplements contain significant amounts of vitamins and minerals, notes MedlinePlus, including vitamins A, C, E and K-4 and calcium, potassium, phosphorus and iron. Your nutritional status prior to surgery has a significant effect on the success of your surgery and your recovery. Alfalfa acts as an anti-inflammatory, diuretic and anti-fungal agent and has been used for numerous health purposes.
Additional Information
Although most ACL surgeries do not lead to major health complications, minor complications can occur, including bleeding, infections, numbness around the incision site, pain, scar formation, knee stiffness and allergic reactions to tape or dressings. Before undergoing ACL surgery, meet with your doctor or surgeon to discuss the therapies most likely to improve your chances of success and a speedy recovery. Not all dietary supplements are appropriate for you or these health purposes.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries
- Medline: ACL Reconstruction
- "Prescription for Nutritional Healing"; Phyllis A. Balch, CNC; 2010
- MedlinePlus: Alfalfa
