NO NEED TO DELAY ACL SURGERY

Whether it be from a car accident or a work injury, your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can be damaged to the point where surgery is needed. When the surgery should be performed is often debated. Some believe that surgery to repair acute ACL tears should be delayed for at least three weeks to reduce the risk of limited post-operative range of motion and unsatisfactory clinical outcomes. A new study disagrees.

A study recently published in the American Journal of Sports Medicine indicates that reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) yields favorable results when the surgery was performed within 3 weeks of the injury. "We found those patients reconstructed early quickly regained their pre-injury range of motion and, subsequently, felt better faster," reads the report. "If the surgery is performed proximate to the injury, the body has just one 'trauma' from which to heal," the researchers noted. They argue that an advantages to earlier ACL surgery include a faster return to activities and the avoidance of further damage to a patient who resumes activities with a deficient ACL.

The researchers concluded that although not all cases of acute ACL tears can and should be repaired without delay, it is not necessary to delay surgery, especially if patients adhere to a rehabilitation program that focuses on full extension and range of motion of the knee.

If you have injured your ACL or knee from a Florida car accident or workers' compensation claim, you should consult with a doctor for medical advice. However, you should also consult with an attorney for legal advice as your rights and responsibilities.

Matthew Noyes has been representing those injured in Florida car accidents and work injuries for many years. To contact Attorney Noyes for a free case evaluation, simply click here.