IF IT WAS EASY EVERYONE WOULD BE DOING IT! Revision anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is one of the most challenging surgeries performed in Sportsmedicine. Revision surgery simplistically stated is a re-do of a failed prior surgery. It’s never as straightforward as the first time.
The key to the revision is to understand why the first surgery failed. Secondly, surgical planning is key. A pre op CT scan is frequently done to evaluate old tunnel ossification and position. If the tunnels have expanded and/or interfere with the anticipated position of the new tunnels, a “staged” reconstruction is necessary. In the “first stage” the tunnels are filled-in with bone graft. Once the tunnels solidify or fill in, planning for final ACL reconstruction (second stage)can be done.
In this video I show the appearance of a torn ACL graft. I also show a cadaver graft (BPTB) aka a allograft. Lastly the graft is shown locked in place. The new graft looks excellent.
If you’ve been told that you need a “revision” ACL reconstruction, I recommend you see a fellowship trained orthopedic surgeon. It’s not an easy surgery.
