Apr 10, 2009 4:59 pm US/Eastern
New Strides In ACL Surgery Mean Faster Recovery
SUMMIT COUNTY, Colo.
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New procedure to repair ACL's
A new procedure to repair ACLs called the "double-bundle reconstruction" boasts a faster recovery time, CBS station KCNC-TV reports.
Fifteen years ago, a torn ACL would have likely put an end to many athletes' sports careers. But now, doctors said skiers and snowboarders are returning to the top form because of the double-bundle reconstruction.
Surgeons repaired a damaged ACL using a tendon from the injured patient's hamstring and a similar tendon from a cadaver. After clearing away the scar tissue, the new tendons are pulled into place, the knee is checked for stability, and the surgery is over.
"I think there's a few things in sports medicine that I really think of as a leap ahead in terms of technology. I may be biased, but I put this in that category," said Dr. Rick Cunningham of Vail-Summit Orthopedics.
Dr. Cunningham said with current technology, a baseball player injured during spring training may be well enough to play by mid-season.
"I'm starting to see some of these double-bundles get back at four and a half months, so that may save some time off recovery," said Dr. Cunningham.
For professional athletes, ACL injuries used to take up to a year to recover.
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