The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of four ligaments that maintain knee stability. Connecting the shinbone (tibia) and thigh (femur), the ACL is situated in the interior of the knee, behind the kneecap (patella). The ACL maintains back-and-forth motion within the knee. A tear to the ACL can severely destabilize the knee.
A torn ACL typically cannot be stitched back together with sutures. Instead, the ligament must be reconstructed. One method — a hamstring-ACL graft — involves removing the torn ACL and a section of the hamstring tendon. The hamstring tendon segment is implanted in place of the torn ACL.. The new hamstring ACL graft can fixated with a number of available devices, including staples.
The orthopedics departments of John C. Lincoln Hospitals invite you to watch this interactive introduction to hamstring ACL graft surgery.