What is ligament reconstruction?

Ligaments are strong, fibrous bands of tissue that connect bones to one another and stabilize your joints. When a ligament tears or stretches beyond its limits, the joint can feel loose, weak or painful, especially during activity.

Ligament reconstruction is a surgical procedure that replaces or repairs damaged ligaments in the knee or shoulder to restore stability and support normal movement. It's often recommended when a ligament is completely torn, when instability continues despite non-surgical care or when multiple ligaments are involved. Many procedures use minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques, which involve smaller incisions and can support a smoother recovery.

Medical illustration of knee joint anatomy used to explain a knee arthroscopy procedure.

A closer look at knee arthroscopy

Understand knee arthroscopy basics, from knee anatomy and common problems to what the procedure can and cannot treat, plus what to expect before and after.

Videos in our patient education library are available to help you gain a general understanding of the condition or procedure. Read disclaimer.

Common reasons for ligament reconstruction

Ligament injuries can affect your ability to move confidently and comfortably. You may need ligament reconstruction if you're experiencing:

Knee instability or a feeling that the knee may give way
A knee ligament injury involving the ACL, PCL, MCL, LCL or MPFL
Patellar dislocation or kneecap instability
Shoulder instability following a dislocation
A shoulder ligament injury affecting the joint capsule or labrum
Pain or discomfort with lifting, reaching or throwing
Ongoing symptoms that haven't improved with non-surgical treatment

Your physician will evaluate your symptoms, joint stability and imaging results to determine whether ligament reconstruction is the right option for you.

Treatment options (surgical and nonsurgical)

Treatment for ligament injuries depends on the severity of the damage and your activity level. Options include:

Nonsurgical

Bracing, activity modification and physical therapy are an option for mild ligament injuries.

Surgical

Knee ligament reconstruction using graft tissue from the patient or a donor, secured to restore natural movement
Shoulder ligament reconstruction, which may involve tightening the joint capsule, repairing the labrum or reconstructing ligaments with sutures, anchors or grafts
Minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques for many knee and shoulder procedures, allowing for smaller incisions and less postoperative discomfort

Your care team will help you understand which approach best fits your injury and goals.

Recovery and rehabilitation

As with any surgical procedure, ligament reconstruction carries some risks, which may include infection, stiffness, graft failure or a need for additional treatment. Every patient's situation is different, and your care team will walk you through the potential risks and benefits specific to your case. We encourage you to ask questions so you feel confident and informed before moving forward with treatment.

Risks and considerations

Intra-articular knee injections are generally safe, but as with any medical procedure, there are some risks to be aware of, including:

Infection at the injection site
Pain, swelling or irritation after the injection
Inflammation of the joint lining
Rare complications such as septic arthritis or nerve irritation

Your care team will review the risks and benefits with you ahead of time and monitor your progress closely after the injection. They're always available to answer your questions along the way.

Why treatment is important?

As with any surgical procedure, ligament reconstruction carries some risks, which may include infection, stiffness, graft failure or a need for additional treatment. Every patient's situation is different, and your care team will walk you through the potential risks and benefits specific to your case. We encourage you to ask questions so you feel confident and informed before moving forward with treatment.

Illustration of knee joint showing femur, meniscus, and tibia.

Preventing and treating ACL tears

ACL tears are a common injury, particularly among athletes. While they can’t always be avoided, proper training and preventive strategies may help reduce the risk.

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Our board-certified specialists are here to help you heal. They can often diagnose the problem in one visit and get you started with a personalized treatment plan. We offer a wide variety of treatment options.

Ligament reconstruction

What is ligament reconstruction?

A closer look at knee arthroscopy

Conditions we treat

Why treatment is important?

Preventing and treating ACL tears

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