Possible complications of ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery
ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery is a common procedure. But, as with any operation, there are risks. Your doctor will explain these to you.
Most people who have ACL surgery have no complications. If there are any, they're usually minor and can be treated.
The risk of having complications depends on your age and general health.
Blood clots or DVT (deep vein thrombosis)
Blood clots or DVT (deep vein thrombosis) are possible after ACL surgery because of how the blood flows and clots after surgery.
If you have a blood clot that causes pain or swelling, your doctor can give you anticoagulant medicines to help.
A blood clot that forms in the leg can sometimes travel to your lungs (pulmonary embolism). This can cause serious complications.
To reduce the risk of blood clots, your doctor might suggest wearing compression stockings or taking anticoagulant medicines.
Wound infection
There's a small chance that your knee wound could get infected after the operation. This is usually treated with antibiotics.
Damage to nerves or tissue
During surgery, there's a chance that a blood vessel, nerve or ligament could be damaged.
This is not common and can either be repaired during surgery or will usually get better over time.
Problems with your knee
Most people find their daily life improves after ACL surgery.
But it's possible that you may have issues with your knee, such as:
- the knee being unstable when you stand up or walk
- ongoing pain and stiffness
- difficulty moving the knee
- problems in the area the graft was taken from, such as your kneecap
Physiotherapy and certain exercises may help with these problems.
You also may need to have more surgery if you tear the graft in your knee.
Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:
You've recently had ACL surgery and you:
- have a throbbing or cramping pain in your leg
- have a high temperature
- feel hot and cold
- have oozing or pus coming out of your wound
- have tenderness, swelling, pain or redness in your knee that's not getting better or is getting worse – the redness may be harder to see on brown or black skin
These could be signs of an infection or a blood clot.
You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.
Immediate action required: Call 999 or go to A&E if:
You have pain and swelling in your leg and:
- you're having difficulty breathing
- you have chest pains
This could be a blood clot in the lungs (pulmonary embolism), which needs to be treated immediately.
Do not drive to A&E. Ask someone to drive you or call 999 and ask for an ambulance.
Bring any medicines you take with you.