Knee ligament reconstruction (ACL)

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction consists of rebuilding this central ligament of the knee when it is torn, most often during a sports accident with twisting of the knee. Since the torn ligament does not heal spontaneously, its reconstruction is proposed to active patients who experience instability or wish to return to pivoting sports. The operation is performed under arthroscopy: the new ligament is fashioned from the patient's own tendons (hamstrings or patellar tendon), then positioned precisely in the knee through small bone tunnels. Associated meniscal lesions are treated during the same operation, with priority given to their preservation. Rehabilitation is a key element of the result: it begins within the first few days and follows a supervised, progressive protocol, from recovery of walking to muscle strengthening and then return-to-sport conditioning. Return to pivoting sports is considered after several months, upon the surgeon's approval. At Clinique Pasteur Tunis, ACL reconstruction is performed under high-definition arthroscopy by surgeons specialized in sports surgery, with a detailed rehabilitation protocol given to the patient from the time of the operation.