Complications of anterior cruciate ligament surgery

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction has become one of the most commonly performed procedures by Orthopedic surgeons and especially Sports Medicine specialists today. Over the past forty years, ACL reconstruction has evolved from an innovative surgery performed only on professional athletes, into a common procedure for all, with a high expectation of postoperative return to full activity. This has increased the demand for the surgery and the surgeons demand for a highly reproducible and reliable procedure. There are multiple graft and fixation choices, each with its own potential problems and complications. Each surgeon should be aware of the complications associated with this surgery, techniques to avoid them, and how to treat them should they occur.