ACL/ MCL/ MPFL Repair Surgery

An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), medial collateral ligament (MCL), or medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) injury, a tear in one of the important knee ligaments, can cause long-term knee pain and instability. Surgical Solutions Network offers private ACL, MCL, and MPFL reconstructive surgery for patients from Toronto, Ontario; Winnipeg, Manitoba; Calgary, Alberta; Vancouver, British Columbia; and throughout Canada who have torn ligaments in their knee. This surgery involves using small incisions to reconstruct the ligament using a piece of tendon from elsewhere in the patient’s body or from a donor.

Get ACL, MCL, or MPFL Surgery With Surgical Solutions

Patients from across Canada and worldwide choose Surgical Solutions Network for private ACL, MCL, and MPFL surgery. Our fellowship-trained orthopedic surgeons have years of experience and consistently produce excellent outcomes for our patients. We are committed to helping you regain full motion in your knee so that you can take part in sports and other activities again. We strive to provide exceptional pre- and post-operative care. Combined with our patient-centred philosophy, we aim to provide all our patients with a compassionate, caring, and rewarding experience.

Explore your options for private healthcare in Canada to receive access to the knee surgery you need when you need it. Surgical Solutions is a network of accredited private healthcare clinics across Canada, with surgical centres in Toronto, Winnipeg, Calgary, and Vancouver. Contact us to receive timely access to the surgery you need, so you can go back to living a healthy and active life.

When Should You Get Knee Repair Surgery?

An ACL, MCL, or MPFL injury can be severe if the ligament tears completely or separates, along with part of the bone, from the rest of the bone. These injuries cause knee instability that can lead to long-term knee problems without surgery. Reconstructive surgery may be necessary when:

• An ACL, MCL, or MPFL injury weakens the knee so that it buckles during twisting and pivoting activities.
• A patient wants to continue taking part in certain sports and fitness activities, especially ones that involve a lot of jumps or sudden stops and turns.

Knee ligament repair surgery is particularly recommended for young, active people.

What Is This Procedure for and How Will It Alleviate My Symptoms?

The ACL is made up of two ligaments that cross over the middle of the knee and connect the thighbone to the shinbone, the MCL is a ligament that connects the top of the shinbone to the bottom of the thighbone, and the MPFL is the ligament that attaches the kneecap to the thighbone. These ligaments help stabilize the knee joint. ACL, MCL, and MPFL injuries most commonly occur during sports involving sudden stops and direction changes—such as soccer, football, basketball, tennis, and volleyball. 

If you have torn only one of the ligaments and are relatively inactive, you may be able to manage your symptoms with physiotherapy enough to continue with moderate activities and recreational sports. An ACL, MCL, or MPFL reconstruction is usually required to return patients to their pre-injury levels when:

• Multiple ligaments in the knee are torn
• One ligament and the meniscus in the knee are torn
• The patient is young, active, and plays sports

How Is ACL, MCL, and MPFL Surgery Performed?

ACL, MCL, and MPFL surgeries are typically performed arthroscopically by an orthopedic surgeon specializing in knee surgery. Typically, ligament repair surgery requires general anesthesia. This means the patient is unconscious for the duration of the procedure. During arthroscopic ACL, MCL, or MPFL reconstruction surgery, the surgeon first makes two or three small incisions around the knee. He then inserts a thin camera, called an arthroscope, and small surgical instruments to carry out the surgery. The surgeon removes the damaged ligament and replaces it with a piece of tendon from the patient’s body (an autograft) or from a donor (an allograft). If the tendon comes from the patient’s body, the surgeon first makes an incision to take the replacement tendon tissue.

The surgeon then secures the graft to the upper and lower leg. The knee incisions are then closed with stitches or tape before the knee is bandaged, and the patient is taken to a recovery room. Patients are usually discharged after two or three hours. ACL, MCL, and MPFL surgeries are typically an outpatient procedure that don’t require an overnight stay. The patient will need someone to drive them home.

How Do I Qualify for This Procedure?

All patients are requested to complete a Pre-Surgical Patient Questionnaire to provide us with their basic medical history. We also require an MRI, images, and report to confirm you are suitable for the procedure and our facility. We will request a medical history and physical exam and, if required, bloodwork and an ECG from a family doctor.

What Is the Average Process Like and How Long Will It Take for Me to Return to My Normal Activities?

Upon receipt of the patient’s medical documentation, booking the surgeon consultation can be arranged within 1 week, and surgery scheduled within 2 to 4 weeks. Recovery time varies by patient and procedure. ACL reconstruction is a day surgery procedure. 

Following your recovery from anaesthesia you may be provided with a brace, and you will use crutches for the first few weeks. You will be discharged with detailed instructions on how to utilize cold therapy to control pain and swelling. You will begin physiotherapy as soon as possible to begin working on strength and flexibility. Your surgeon will provide you with detailed post-op and rehabilitation instructions along with your follow-up appointment schedule. Recovery takes between 6 and 9 months, depending on the level of activity you are looking to resume.

How Should I Prepare for My Surgery?

If you have not had an MRI already, one will be required prior to consultation/surgery to confirm your diagnosis. Your surgeon will best advise how to prepare for your procedure based on your current circumstances. Often pre-surgical preparation is required to reduce swelling and help the knee heal faster post-surgery and regain the full range of motion to ensure the best possible outcome following surgery. This may mean your surgery would be delayed whilst you participate in physiotherapy to strengthen your muscles. Your surgeon will provide you with all of these instructions at the time of your consultation.

How Long Is Recovery After ACL, MCL, or MPFL Surgery?

After surgery, the patient is given crutches and instructions for using them. The surgeon might also require a knee brace or other protective device to be worn. Patients receive instruction on how to bathe and dress the wound and other post-surgery self-care. Patients are likely to feel tired after surgery for a few days, as well as numb in the areas around the incisions. Patients may also see bruising on their leg and ankle. After a few days, patients should feel better and see an improvement in the mobility of their knee.

Physical therapy rehabilitation is typically required for 4 to 6 months post-surgery to restore full function and range of movement to the knee. Patients should be able to return to sports and activities within a year, although every patient’s recovery time is different.

Results from ACL, MCL, and MPFL Surgery

Successful ACL, MCL, or MPFL reconstruction or repair, followed by a course of physiotherapy rehabilitation, helps patients restore full range of motion to the knee and return to pre-injury knee strength and stability. ACL, MCL, and MPFL surgery also limits the loss of knee function over the long term and helps prevent further knee injuries.

Next Steps: Book Your ACL, MCL, or MPFL Consultation Today

If you are ready to discuss your ACL, MCL, or MPFL surgery needs with one of our orthopedic surgeons,  contact us online to request a consultation today. You have options for private healthcare and knee surgery in Canada.

To discover your healthcare options, your patient care adviser will discuss:

• Your medical history
• Incision techniques
• Potential risks and complications

You will be required to travel out of province for surgery. Your consultation can take place via telephone or video conference.