ACL rupture

A rupture of the anterior cructiate ligament (ACL) may lead to knee instability. This case presents the experiences of a 49 year old active lady after an ACL rupture.

I jumped across a brook and fell in 2009. I heard a popping sound in my knee. My knee felt very unstable and I consulted an orthopaedic surgeon. His diagnosis was a medial ligament lesion. He gave me a brace and prescribed a physiotherapy rehabilitation program to strengthen my muscles. Unfortunately, the instability remained. The first orthopaedic surgeon told me that the results of surgery would not be better than the physiotherapy rehabilitation. I continued this way for one and a half years. My complaints increased, I could no longer jog and my knee gave way frequently. I had functional limitations in my job as a specialised nurse. I decided to see dr Janssen for a second opinion. He concluded that my anterior cruciate ligament was ruptured after a thorough physical examination.

My anterior cruciate ligament has been reconstructed by him with a hamstring technique and I felt the improvement soon after surgery. I’m four months into rehabilitation and my knee feels great. I should also credit mr. Brooijmans, the physiotherapist specialized in knee rehabilitation. Both professionals display great knowledge and dedication, what else can a patient wish for?

Gentlemen, thank you!