Internal Brace Surgery

Who is the Right Candidate for Internal Brace Surgery?

A patient’s eligibility for internal brace surgery is determined by their doctor based on specific criteria, including:

• Extent of Injury: A patient with severe ligament damage which hasn’t improved after non-surgical treatments such as physiotherapy and medication might be a candidate for internal brace surgery.
• Activity Level: Individuals with a high level of physical activity or those engaged in sports might benefit from this surgery as it allows for a quicker return to usual activities.
• Health Condition: The patient’s overall health condition and ability to tolerate anaesthesia are also considered while deciding the suitability for surgery.

In short, internal brace surgery could be a beneficial solution for those who have suffered ligament injuries, offering reduced recovery time and early rehabilitation.

Benefits of Internal Brace Surgery for ACL Reconstruction

Internal brace surgery for ACL reconstruction offers several benefits, which can significantly improve the recovery and long-term outcomes for patients. Some of the key benefits are:

• Enhanced Stability – The internal brace provides additional support to the reconstructed ACL, enhancing joint stability. This reinforcement can help protect the ligament during the initial healing phase and reduce the risk of re-injury.
• Accelerated Rehabilitation – With the added support of the internal brace, patients often experience a faster recovery timeline. This allows for earlier engagement in rehabilitation exercises and potentially a quicker return to daily activities and sports.
• Reduced Postoperative Pain – The use of an internal brace can lead to less tissue trauma compared to traditional grafts alone. This typically results in reduced postoperative pain and discomfort, facilitating a smoother recovery process.
• Minimized Graft Stretching – The internal brace helps to prevent excessive stretching of the reconstructed ligament, maintaining its integrity and function over time. This can lead to improved long-term outcomes and durability of the ACL repair.
• Lower Risk of Revision Surgery – By providing additional reinforcement to the ACL reconstruction, the internal brace can lower the likelihood of graft failure. This reduces the need for potential revision surgeries, offering patients a more reliable and lasting solution.

Benefits of Internal Brace Knee Surgery

In recent years, internal brace surgery has become a favoured choice for treating ligament injuries due to its numerous advantages. Here are some key benefits of this surgical procedure:

• Accelerated Healing: As the internal brace lends immediate structural support to the ligament, this leads to improved healing and regeneration. In fact, post-surgery, the strength of the ligament can reach levels close to that of the original ligament.
• Reduced Recovery Time: Typically, patients undergoing internal brace surgery experience a recovery time that is about half of what traditional ligament repair methods offer. This allows many individuals to resume their normal day-to-day activities within a few months.
• Early Mobilisation: The design and function of the internal brace permit early mobilisation of the joint post-operation, reducing the risk of muscle wasting and stiffness. Patients can often start range-of-motion exercises soon after the operation.
• Lower Re-Injury Rates: Research indicates that surgeries using the internal brace, such as ACL reconstruction, have seen an 88% drop in re-injury rates as compared to conventional methods.
• Minimally Invasive: The procedure for an internal brace is typically performed arthroscopically, resulting in smaller incisions, less postoperative pain, and speedy recovery times.

Preparing for Internal Brace Surgery

Preparing for an internal brace surgery is a vital step towards ensuring a successful operation and recovery. Here’s how you can get ready:

• Preoperative Consultation: Have a detailed discussion with your surgeon about the procedure, expected outcomes, and any concerns you may have. Share your complete health history and details of current medications.
• Imaging Studies: You might need to undergo MRI or X-ray tests to ascertain the extent of the ligament injury and help plan the surgery.
• Physical Preparation: Participate in prehabilitation exercises before the operation to strengthen the surrounding muscles and boost joint stability.
• Medication Management: Prior to the surgery, refrain from certain drugs, like blood thinners, as advised by your surgeon.
• Fasting Instructions: Typically, you will be required to fast starting from the night before the surgery, especially if general anaesthesia is going to be used.
• Postoperative Planning: Ensure that you have someone to take you home after the operation and help you through the initial recovery phase.

Recovery Tips and Precautions to Follow after Internal Brace Surgery

Following internal brace surgery, quick and efficient recovery is often a result of adhering to your surgeon’s post-operation instructions. Here are a few tips to aid your healing process:

• Heed your surgeon’s advice regarding weight-bearing exercises, range-of-motion movements and physical therapy.
• Use aids like crutches or a walking boot as per instructions to protect the joint during the initial healing phase.
• Ensure you attend all follow-ups so your progress can be monitored and healing can be ensured.
• Gradually raise your activity levels as per tolerance, but steer clear of high-impact sports until given clearance by your surgeon.
• Diligently perform physical therapy exercises prescribed to regain strength, flexibility, and stability.

Potential Risks or Complications Associated With Internal Brace Surgery

Like any other operation, internal brace surgery also carries its share of potential risks and complications. It’s crucial to be aware and discuss these with your surgeon. Some of these include:

• Infection: There’s always a risk of infection at the site of operation. Indicators include redness, swelling, and fever.
• Stiffness: Formation of excessive scar tissue may lead to stiffness in the joint, requiring additional treatment.
• Nerve Damage: Though rare, the surgery could result in temporary or permanent nerve damage, causing numbness or weakness.
• Failure of the Internal Brace: There could be instances where the internal brace fails to provide adequate support, leading to the necessity for another operation.
• Persistent Pain: Some patients may continue to experience pain or discomfort even after the surgery, necessitating further evaluation and treatment.

Following your surgeon’s instructions and ensuring that you attend all scheduled follow-up appointments can help minimise the risk of complications and optimise your recovery process after internal brace knee surgery.

Cost of Internal Brace Surgery in India

If you are considering internal brace knee surgery, one of the first things you want to know is the cost involved.

The exact price can vary considerably, but some estimates suggest a range from INR 1,50,000 to INR 2,75,000. However, numerous factors can sway this cost on either side. Let’s take a look:

• Healthcare Facility: A renowned hospital with state-of-the-art facilities is likely to charge more compared to smaller clinics. This variation is due to better infrastructure, advanced technology, and experienced medical staff.
• Surgeon’s Expertise: The surgeon’s fees can significantly impact the total cost. Doctors with extensive experience and a solid reputation often charge higher fees.
• Geographical Location: Typically, metropolitan cities have high operation costs as compared to smaller towns. This difference in cost stems from varying real estate expenses, operational costs, and cost of living.
• Additional Services: The overall cost also includes preoperative tests, anaesthesia during surgery, and postoperative care such as medications and rehabilitation.

Is Internal Brace Surgery covered under Insurance?

Yes, many insurance plans cover internal brace surgery if it is deemed medically necessary. For instance, an insurance company would typically cover the procedure for conditions such as ligament injuries like ACL tears.

However, not all services associated with the procedure might be covered under your insurance plan. Some policies might exclude certain caregivers who are not within the insurer’s network or certain post-surgery prescription medications might not be covered.

Rehabilitative services for recovery after internal brace surgery might also have limited coverage or require additional copayments under some plans. Certain cosmetic procedures related to the same issue might not be deemed medically necessary and hence may not be covered.

It is vital that you understand your insurance policy’s specifics regarding deductibles, co-payments and out-of-pocket maximums. This knowledge will allow you to understand your financial responsibilities and avoid surprises during your internal brace surgery recovery time. Always check with your insurance provider for the most accurate information.

Research Papers For Internal Brace

• https://www.arthroscopyjournal.org/article/S0749-8063(24)00202-0/fulltext
• https://casereports.bmj.com/content/15/1/e247173
• https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0968016022000382