A torn ACL is a significant knee injury that can leave your knee very unstable, and leave you with some big decisions to make!

Replacing a torn ACL graft through surgery is the only way to return your knee to it's previous level of function (you can view this procedure at www.recoveryguides.com.au). There are really 3 reasons why you would go ahead and have the surgery:

1. Your day to day function is severely affected eg constant collapsing and pain;

2.  To returnt to sports or activities which you love and that require a high degree of lower limb stability and coordination;

3.  It reduces the risk of osteoarthritis of the knee. This is a very important factor in the decision making process.

I think if you are young and have access to the right facilities, there should be no question.  As the population ages and we are active for longer, more and more people into their 40's and 50's are having this procedure done. I have seen several 50 something yr olds in the last 12 months alone, and they have all done very well. The recovery tends to be a little slower and on average more painful, but 12 months down the track the results are very good and similar to younger patients.

Greg Condon
Physiotherapist
Co-author recovery guides rehabitation booklets