How the Injury Occurred:

While carrying out a combat mission at night, Kostyantyn was stationed on position when an enemy bombardment began. The darkness complicated the situation, and during the shelling, he sustained an injury to his knee.

Diagnosis:

• Injury to the Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL).

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL):

• A key stabilizing structure in the knee joint.
• Located centrally in the knee, the ACL prevents excessive forward movement of the tibia relative to the femur.

Nature of the Injury:

• The ACL may suffer from:
  • Partial tear (some fibers remain intact).
  • Complete rupture (full disruption of the ligament).
• Such injuries can be accompanied by damage to:
  • Menisci.
  • Articular cartilage.
  • Other knee ligaments.

Causes of ACL Injury:

• Sudden pivoting or deceleration during movement (common in sports or high-stress activities).
• Direct trauma to the knee (like a blow or impact).
• Hyperextension or forceful bending of the knee joint.

Clinical Solution:

ACL Reconstruction Surgery (ACL Graft):

What is ACL Reconstruction?
A surgical procedure aimed at replacing the damaged ligament with a graft (tissue substitute). This restores the knee’s stability and function.

Procedure Overview:

1. Graft Selection:
   • A tendon graft is used to replace the torn ACL. Common sources include:
     • Autografts (patient’s own tissue, e.g., hamstring or patellar tendon).
     • Allografts (donor tissue).
2. Surgical Steps:
   • Small incisions are made for arthroscopic surgery (minimally invasive).
   • The damaged ACL is removed.
   • Bone tunnels are created in the femur and tibia to anchor the graft.
   • The graft is secured with screws or other fixation devices.
3. Rehabilitation:
   • Post-surgery recovery involves intensive physiotherapy to regain strength, stability, and mobility.