The experience of a
surgeon could be crucial when undergoing knee replacement, according to a new
report.
Research from the Hospital for Special Surgery in New York found patients who
have anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) procedures carried out by doctors who
have performed less than 60 operations were around four to five times more
likely to need a follow-up ACL reconstruction.
Doctors explained that although surgeons who complete their medical training
are qualified to carry out the procedure, there is still a sharp learning curve
for ACL operations.
"ACL reconstruction is a complex procedure, with many surgical steps, that
may be more technically difficult at the beginning of one's career," said
co-author of the study Robert Marx.
The researchers analysed 12,778 ACL reconstructions performed by 320 surgeons.
Arsenal midfielder Emmanuel Frimpong recently suffered an anterior cruciate
knee injury while on loan at Wolves and now faces a lengthy spell on the
sidelines.
© Adfero Ltd
Knee replacement surgery news : 10 February 2012
