Anterior Cruciate Ligament Programme
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 The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the major stablilising ligament of the knee. Tearing of the ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) occurs with a sudden direction change or when a decelerating force crosses the knee. The patient often feels or hears a popping sensation, has a rapid onset of knee swelling, and develops a buckling sensation in the knee when attempting a direction change.
The primary aim of the ACL programme is to achieve a stable knee so as to prevent further injuries to the meniscus and cartilage of the joint and the secondary aim is to enable patients to return to their favourite sports activities.
This is a unique and comprehensive treatment programme specifically tailored for patients with an ACL injury. |
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ACL Reconstruction Surgery
During this surgery, the remnants of your torn ACL need to be removed, and a similar ligament from somewhere else around your knee is inserted in the place of the original ACL.
The grafts used are the medial hamstring tendons, the central third of your patellar tendon and occasionally, an “allograft” from a cadaver. You may speak to your surgeon regarding the advantages and disadvantages of these grafts. |
How this programme will help you
The team will help you understand your injury and treatment options by providing relevant information and instructional video aids. Your progress in this programme will be closely monitored by the attending Sports Orthopaedic Surgeon, Sports Physiotherapist and Sports Trainer who will be with you until the end of your treatment.
You will have access to the latest technology and gym equipment to help you recover.
You will be trained on how to prevent future knee ligament injuries. |
Who it is for
For people with ACL injuries to achieve a stable knee and prevent further injuries to the meniscus and cartilage of the joint and who want to return to their active lifestyle. |
Our treatment centre
Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at Singapore General Hospital |
The SGH Advantage
Pioneer in Singapore
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| The sports service team at SGH introduced and pioneered the use of Double-bundle ACL reconstruction in Singapore in 2004. Used in patients with athletic demands, it confers better stability and hence improved outcome in such patients. |
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Leading Regional Centre
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| In 2005, SGH was the first and remains the only centre in the region to use computer-assisted navigation for ACL reconstruction. This permits greater accuracy during surgery and documents the improved stability achieved after surgery. |
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Cutting Edge Treatment
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| Since 2004, SGH has been performing meniscus transplantation using allografts (human sources). In 2007, the sports team started performing cartilage transplantation using a gel matrix, which suspends the autologous cartilage cells in 3-dimensional distribution. This technique does not require microsurgical periosteum stitching and the cells are better distributed than the layered types of transplantation. |
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