The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is a band of fibrous tissue in the knee that gives it additional support. ACL tears are common in athletes because of the excessive twisting forces of the knee involved in sports. A 2005 article in the journal "Sports Sciences for Health" reports that the prevalence of ACL surgeries in top-level professional soccer players is 10.4 percent. Fortunately, the surgical repair of an ACL tear is an option; however, there are complications of this surgery that you should be aware of.
Infection
The risk of infection is 0.2 to .48 percent of ACL surgeries, according to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS). Although your orthopedic surgeon will adhere to sterile techniques, any break in the skin due to surgery can result in an infection. The AAOS also reports that several deaths have been linked to infection from the implanted graft tissue. After your surgery, be aware of excessive pain, swelling, redness and drainage from the incision scar. Alert your orthopedic surgeons if you have these symptoms.
Blood Clot
A blood clot is a possible complication of ACL surgery, according to the AAOS. This occurs because surgical damage to the blood vessels may cause clots to form in the large veins in the leg. This can be a dangerous complication, as this clot can travel through the veins to your lungs and cause difficulty breathing. Be aware of redness, swelling and pain in your calf muscle or other parts of your leg. If you are experiencing these symptoms, alert your doctor.
Stiffness
The AAOS reports that knee stiffness occurs in up to 25 percent of patients after ACL repair surgery. This complication can be due to a graft that is too short or from scarring of the tissues in the knee. Be sure to follow your orthopedic surgeon's post-operative instructions to reduce the chance of knee stiffness.
Pain
Your orthopedic surgeon may choose to use your kneecap ligament to replace your damaged ACL, according to the AAOS. Pain behind the kneecap is a common complication if your surgeon chooses this option. This occurs in up to 56 percent of patients whose kneecap ligament replaced the ACL, states the AAOS. If you have excessive pain, be sure to alert your orthopedic surgeon.
