ACL Reconstruction Surgery
This page provides general information for patients of Dr. Borshch in Brisbane, who are preparing for Orthopaedic ACL reconstruction surgery for symptomatic knee instability.
Your individual condition and treatment plan may be different, so this information should be used alongside the advice of your surgeon and treating team.
What is it?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the main stabilizing ligaments in the knee. It limits the forward movement of the tibia (shin bone) relative to the femur (thigh bone) and plays a crucial role in controlling pivoting, twisting, and sudden changes in direction.
ACL reconstruction is an operation performed to replace a torn ACL using a graft (new ligament). This graft is typically made from your own tendon, most commonly the hamstring or quadriceps tendon, though it can also be sourced from a donor.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the main stabilising ligaments in the knee. It limits forward movement of the tibia (shin bone) relative to the femur (thigh bone) and helps control pivoting, twisting, and sudden changes in direction.
An ACL reconstruction is an operation to replace a torn ACL using a graft (new ligament). The graft is usually made from your own tendon (most commonly hamstring or quadriceps tendon), or less commonly from a donor.
The aim of ACL reconstruction is to:
restore knee stability
reduce episodes of the knee “giving way”
allow a safe return to sport, work, or active daily life
reduce the risk of further knee damage (especially meniscal injury)
Why is it done?
ACL reconstruction is usually considered when the ACL has been torn and the knee remains unstable, particularly during pivoting or sporting activities.
Common reasons include:
repeated episodes of the knee giving way
difficulty returning to sport, physical work, or active hobbies
associated injuries such as meniscus tears
young or active patients who place high demands on the knee
Not everyone with an ACL tear needs surgery. Some people can manage well with physiotherapy alone, especially if they do not have instability or high sporting demands. Studies show that both surgical and non-surgical pathways can be appropriate depending on the individual. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20660401/)
How is it done?
This page provides general information for patients of Dr. Borshch in Brisbane, who are preparing for Orthopaedic ACL reconstruction surgery for symptomatic knee instability.
Your individual condition and treatment plan may be different, so this information should be used alongside the advice of your surgeon and treating team.
How to prepare for surgery.
This page provides general information for patients of Dr. Borshch in Brisbane, who are preparing for Orthopaedic ACL reconstruction surgery for symptomatic knee instability.
Your individual condition and treatment plan may be different, so this information should be used alongside the advice of your surgeon and treating team.
What to expect after surgery.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the main stabilizing ligaments in the knee. It limits the forward movement of the tibia (shin bone) relative to the femur (thigh bone) and plays a crucial role in controlling pivoting, twisting, and sudden changes in direction.
ACL reconstruction is an operation performed to replace a torn ACL using a graft (new ligament). This graft is typically made from your own tendon, most commonly the hamstring or quadriceps tendon, though it can also be sourced from a donor.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the main stabilising ligaments in the knee. It limits forward movement of the tibia (shin bone) relative to the femur (thigh bone) and helps control pivoting, twisting, and sudden changes in direction.
An ACL reconstruction is an operation to replace a torn ACL using a graft (new ligament). The graft is usually made from your own tendon (most commonly hamstring or quadriceps tendon), or less commonly from a donor.
The aim of ACL reconstruction is to:
restore knee stability
reduce episodes of the knee “giving way”
allow a safe return to sport, work, or active daily life
reduce the risk of further knee damage (especially meniscal injury)
Long term outcomes.
ACL reconstruction is usually considered when the ACL has been torn and the knee remains unstable, particularly during pivoting or sporting activities.
Common reasons include:
repeated episodes of the knee giving way
difficulty returning to sport, physical work, or active hobbies
associated injuries such as meniscus tears
young or active patients who place high demands on the knee
Not everyone with an ACL tear needs surgery. Some people can manage well with physiotherapy alone, especially if they do not have instability or high sporting demands. Studies show that both surgical and non-surgical pathways can be appropriate depending on the individual. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/20660401/)
Things to look out for (and when to seek help)
Contact our office, your GP, or seek urgent care if you notice:
Possible infection
increasing redness, warmth, or swelling
worsening pain after initial improvement
discharge from the wounds
fevers or feeling unwell
(Infection after ACL reconstruction is rare, usually <1%.) (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/36517215/)
Blood clot warning signs
calf pain or tenderness
increasing leg swelling
sudden shortness of breath or chest pain (call emergency services)
Stiffness or motion problems
inability to fully straighten or bend the knee despite physiotherapy
early assessment is important to prevent long-term stiffness
Graft failure or re-injury
new instability or giving way after initial improvement
often related to early return to sport or a new injury.
ACL Reconstruction
Dr Alexey Borshch is a specialist orthopaedic surgeon in Brisbane with a particular clinical focus on surgery of the hip, knee and lower limb.
His practice as a Brisbane orthopedic surgeon focuses on the assessment and treatment of knee injuries, as well as performing ACL reconstruction surgery, PCL reconstruction, Multi-ligament reconstruction and patella stabilisation surgery.
Dr. Borshch completed his medical degree at the University of Queensland and later underwent specialist orthopaedic training in Queensland, achieving Fellowship status with the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in Orthopaedic Surgery.
He offers consultations in Hamilton, Brisbane, and conducts private orthopaedic surgery at Brisbane Private Hospital.