ACL reconstruction – Dr Benjamin Hewitt

Over 1.2 million Australians play netball regularly. It is the leading women’s participation sport and the top team sport for ages 15 to 24 . All ages play netball and it is a fantastic sport to develop health and fitness. Netball involves high speed, deceleration, twisting and pivoting. Because of this knee injuries are relatively common.
The knee is the most commonly injured joint in Netball. 25% of major injuries reported from netball involve rupture of the ACL. This is a devastating injury to netballers as it usually requires surgery, prolonged rehabilitation and time away from the sport. Other less severe knee injuries occurring during netball include ligament sprains, dislocated knee caps or torn cartilages.

Knee injuries from jumping or twisting

So, I have injured my knee while playing netball, how do I know if it is serious?

Most people that sustain a severe injury to their knee know straight away they have done something major. Other clues include:
– Snap or pop: If you hear or feel a noise it means something has broken or ruptured.
– Can’t walk on it : If it is too sore or unstable to play or walk on serious damage is likely.
– Immediate swelling: Usually signifies bleeding into the knee and thus, a serious injury.
If any of the above occur you should rest, ice , elevate and compress the joint and then get the knee examined as soon as possible. Your GP, Physio or Orthopaedic surgeon can examine your knee injury.

knee injuries could be an ACL rupture

Will I need surgery?

You will need surgery if you have ruptured your ACL or torn your cartilage.
ACL reconstruction is the standard treatment for a torn ACL. It involves surgery to replace the ruptured ACL with a tendon from elsewhere in your body. The rehab is long but the results are good. If you have torn a cartilage (meniscus) knee arthroscopy is usually required. This is simple day case keyhole surgery. Most people are back playing sport 4 to 6 weeks after arthroscopy.

How can I prevent knee injuries while playing netball?

There is now good evidence that injury prevention programs do work to limit the number of knee injuries. Netball Australia has a KNEE program that consists of a number of knee exercises that can be incorporated into the warm up and main part of netball training. These aim to improve player’s technique, strength and agility. Which is especially relevant to preventing knee injuries.

In conclusion Netball is a fantastic and safe sport. It is possible to injure your knee playing, but a good assessment and treatment plan can get you back on the court as soon as possible. Contact Dr Benjamin Hewitt, to arrange a consultation if you suffer a knee injury.

We are now well into the AFL and Netball seasons and are seeing the usual spike in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. This article tells you what you can do to prevent an ACL injury, how we diagnose ACL injuries, and what are latest developments in ACL reconstruction.

How do I avoid rupturing my ACL?

It was once thought that there was nothing you could do to prevent rupturing your ACL. This is not the case. We now know that improving your strength, skill and coordination, prior to playing competitive sport, can reduce your chance of ACL injury and thus needing an ACL reconstruction. Most coaches are aware of this and preseason training is aimed at improving your strength, flexibility, stamina, agility and balance.

The FIFA 11 + program is one such set of warm-up exercises specifically designed for soccer but easily applicable to our football and netball players.

How do ACL injuries occur?

Most ACL injuries are non-contact and involve either twisting or hyperextending the knee. Often, there is a loud “crack” or “pop” and most players know they have suffered a major injury. The knee is swollen and you cant walk let alone play-on.

How do I know if I have damaged my ACL?

A history of a crack or pop with a very painful and swollen knee makes me highly suspicious of a ruptured ACL. Once I examine your knee, the diagnosis is usually confirmed. An MRI scan is not necessary in everyone but will usually put the diagnosis beyond doubt.

Sounds like I have injured my ACL, what next?

Treatment on the first day involves rest, ice, elevation and getting an urgent appointment. Callor email the office and we will always see badly injured knees within 2-3 days of the injury.

My ACL injured patients are generally very keen to get back into twisting, turning activities without risking further damage to their knees. To do this, you need an ACL reconstruction.

What is the latest and greatest way to fix my ACL?

In the last 10-years there have many new developments in ACL reconstruction. The operation is now exclusively done via the telescope, using mini incisions. A brace or plaster is not needed and most patients are off crutches by 1 week following the operation. Patients only spend 1 night in hospital and we begin rehab day 1 post operatively.

There has been much talk about artificial ligaments and their possible advantages. In some people they have been successful, but the results are still disappointing when compared to hamstring and patella tendon grafts. I believe the best graft for an ACL reconstruction is still your own tissue.

In summary, ACL injuries can be a devastating, season ending injury. With the latest techniques in ACL reconstruction they can be fixed, allowing patients to return to the activities they love.

For more information, contact us on (08) 9322 1900 or submit an enquiry form.

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