Dr. Siddharth Aggarwal- The Best ACL Surgeon in Punjab

Dr. Siddharth Aggarwal is a famous surgeon in Punjab who specializes in fixing ACL injuries. He is a renowned ACL Surgeon in Punjab as well as the whole country. Dr.Siddharth is known for his extensive experience in sports medicine and ACL surgery. 

What is ACL?

The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, is a key part of the knee that helps keep it stable when you move.The Anterior Cruciate Ligament connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shin bone (tibia). It stops your shin bone from sliding forward too much in front of your thigh bone. It plays an important role in stabilizing the knee joint, alongside the Posterior Cruciate Ligament (PCL). 

Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)

Injuries to the ACL are quite common, especially during sports or if you get a hard hit to your knee. An ACL tear is a serious injury, causing significant pain and swelling due to internal bleeding. Athletes who play sports involving quick changes in direction, like soccer, basketball, volleyball, etc. are more likely to get severe ACL injuries because of the dynamic movements involved, such as jumping, cutting, and pivoting. Road accidents can also lead to ACL tears. When someone tears their ACL, they often need surgery to fix it. When the ACL is torn, it can result in pain and difficulty walking.

Severity And Grade Of ACL Injury

• Grade-I ACL Injury: This is a mild injury where the ligament is slightly stretched, but the knee remains stable. Surgery is rarely needed for such injuries.
• Grade-II ACL Injury: This is a moderate injury where the ligament becomes loose and may be partially torn. The joint can be unstable during activity. Surgery might be considered depending on the level of instability.
• Grade-III ACL Injury: This is a severe injury where the ligament is completely ruptured and split into two segments. This leads to significant instability in the knee joint and typically require surgery to repair or reconstruct the torn ligament.

ACL Injury Causes

ACL injuries can be caused due to:

• Twisting of the knee, especially when the foot is planted on the ground, like when one lands from a jump and twists awkwardly.
• Suddenly change direction while running or walking.
• Abruptly slow down or come to a halt while running.
• Overstretch the knee joint beyond its normal range of motion.

The patient may feel unstable or hesitant to put full weight on the injured leg. In such cases, ACL surgery in Punjab by experienced doctors like Dr. Siddharth Aggarwal may be necessary to restore stability and function to the knee.

The different types of ACL surgery

During ACL surgery, your doctor replaces the torn ACL with a tendon, which is a tough tissue connecting muscle to bone. The aim is to restore stability to your knee and regain its full range of motion after the injury. The tendon used to replace the ACL is referred to as a graft.There are several types of ACL ligament surgery, each tailored to the specific needs of the patient and the extent of the injury. There are three main types of grafts commonly used in ACL surgery:

• Autograft: Our doctor will take a tendon from another part of your body, such as your other knee, hamstring, or thigh, to use as the graft.
• Allograft: This graft involves using tissue from a donor, typically from a deceased individual.
• Synthetic graft: In this approach, artificial materials are used to replace the tendon. Nowadays advanced materials like carbon fiber and Teflon are used for this grafting. However, researchers continue to explore and develop the most effective material for ACL replacement.

Symptoms and Signs of ACL

• Popping sound: If the patient injures their anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), then they might experience a popping sound and feel their knee give out. 
• Instability : After a brief period of rest, when the person resumes his normal work , he starts having issues related to ACL Deficiency. Most prominent being INSTABILTY: patient feels that his knee may twist and he may feel while walking.

This feeling is most pronounced in activities requiring balance like coming downstairs, jumping, running, sudden turning and others.

Other common symptoms include:

• Pain and swelling: The knee will likely swell within 24 hours of the injury. While the swelling and pain may diminish over time if left untreated, returning to sports activities may result in knee instability and potential damage to the knee's cushioning cartilage (meniscus).

• Limited range of motion: The patient may find it difficult to fully bend or straighten their knee.

• Tenderness along the joint line: The area around the knee joint may feel tender to the touch.

• Discomfort while walking: Walking may be uncomfortable due to the instability and pain in the knee.

Diagnosis of ACL

• Physical Examination

On the patient’s initial appointment, the doctor will:

• Discuss about the various symptoms and medical background with the patient.
• Conduct a knee examination, thoroughly assessing all components of the injured knee and comparing them to the unaffected knee. In many cases, a comprehensive physical examination of the knee is sufficient to diagnose most ligament injuries.

• Imaging Tests

Additional tests that may assist the doctor in confirming the diagnosis include:

• X-rays: A doctor cannot directly visualize injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament. Therefore, the available option before taking decision for ligament injury surgery is doing X-rays. The X-ray test can reveal any associated bone fractures.

• Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan: MRI provides detailed images of soft tissues like the anterior cruciate ligament. Although not always necessary for diagnosing a torn ACL, an MRI allows the doctor to assess injuries to other soft tissue structures within the knee, such as the meniscus and cartilage.
• Ultrasound: Ultrasound involves the use of sound waves to visualize internal structures. It can be utilized to examine the ligaments, tendons, and muscles of the knee for injuries.

ACL Injury Treatments by Dr. Siddharth Aggarwal

Treatment for an ACL tear is tailored to each patient's specific needs. For instance, a young athlete engaged in high-impact sports will likely need surgery to resume sports safely. On the other hand, an older, less active individual may find they can return to a more sedentary lifestyle without requiring surgery.

In the majority of ACL injury cases, surgery is not typically recommended initially unless it is really necessary. Initially, doctors often advise 2-3 weeks of physical therapy before considering surgery. The primary reason for this pre-surgery therapy is to prevent the knee from becoming immobile during and after the surgical procedure. It is crucial because after surgery, patients need time to regain full motion of the knee. For the best ACL treatment, patients all around the country always trust Dr. Siddharth Aggarwal to provide optimal care.

Care After ACL surgery :

After surgery, it is vital to stay connected with your doctor. You do not want any unexpected issues during your ACL surgery recovery. If you notice anything unusual or have any questions, do not hesitate to ask your doctor. Your surgeon might provide answers to questions you did not even think to ask!

Proper sleep is crucial for ACL surgery recovery, reducing swelling and discomfort. Additionally, a healthy diet, rich in protein and nutrients while avoiding inflammatory foods, supports healing after surgery.

Why Choose Dr. Siddharth Aggarwal As ACL Surgeon in Punjab?

Dr. Siddharth Aggarwal is the best ACL Surgeon in Punjab with huge experience and immense success rate. His expertise in arthroscopic treatment serves as a valuable case study for many aspiring students. Dr. Siddharth is actively involved in the Asia Pacific Orthopaedic Association, where he has made significant contributions to the field. With 15 years of practice in sports medicine, he is regarded as the go-to consultant for sports injury treatment.

Having served in various medical organizations, Siddharth now runs his own Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine Clinic, where he continues to provide specialized care. As an advisor to several universities, he adopts a minimally invasive approach to ACL surgery, ensuring patients experience minimal discomfort. Dr. Siddharth has successfully treated numerous sports personalities, providing effective relief from pain and soreness. Renowned as the most trusted ACL doctor in Punjab, he offers a comprehensive range of arthroscopic treatments, including ACL and PCL reconstruction, meniscectomy, arthroscopic ACL knee surgery, and more.