Knee ligament surgery: Future perspectives
Ligament injuries are commonly encountered in sports medicine. Current research is focused upon the augmentation of healing after ligament injury and reconstruction (an emphasis placed on anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction) with the use of biological substances or biomechanical techniques. The evolution of surgical techniques to more anatomical reconstructions and rehabilitation focused upon graft healing can possibly decrease the rate of failure. An objective assessment of graft healing with tools such as magnetic resonance imaging may provide valuable insight as to when a person should be cleared to return to athletic participation. Ultimately, the goal of ligament repair and reconstruction is to individualize both the surgery and the recovery to meet each patient's anatomy and lifestyle.
