October 2009

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Coach Dennis Balogh, 34, is ready for the new wrestling season—complete with a new ACL—thanks to all-arthroscopic ACL reconstruction.

He still remembers the moment last spring when he tore the ACL in his left knee. “I was training kids, doing extra workouts at a club in Brecksville,” Balogh says. “When I was wrestling full-go with one of the 189-pounders, he took his shot and my foot got caught in the mat. I heard a loud ‘pop’ and then felt a lot of pain.”

‘Your ACL is gone’

“I'd heard of Dr. Dan Zanotti,” says Balogh. “He'd operated on the elbows of a kid who's competing for University School. His dad suggested I set up an appointment with Dr. Zanotti.

“When I saw Dr. Zanotti, I said, ‘I think I've torn the cartilage in my knee,’ Balogh recalls. “He tested my leg and told me, ‘Your ACL is gone.’ He knew it immediately—and an MRI confirmed that I'd completely torn my ACL.”

All-arthroscopic ACL reconstruction minimizes pain, swelling and inflammation

“This time of year, we see a lot of knee injuries, especially in football and soccer players,” says Dr. Zanotti. “We're pushing the envelope with a brand-new all-arthroscopic ACL reconstruction procedure being performed by only a few U.S. orthopedic surgeons.

“This minimally invasive ‘Band-Aid’ surgery results in less pain, swelling and inflammation, which means that your rehab can progress much more quickly,” he adds. “Most of the pain and swelling subsides after 4-6 weeks, vs. 3-4 months for traditional open or partial-arthroscopic ACL replacement.”

“Traditionally, ACL reconstruction was done using the patient's own tendon tissue,” Dr. Zanotti explains. “Orthopedic surgeons have recently started using allograft or donor tendon tissue. We've tried to eliminate any incisions for harvesting grafts or even for inserting them—doing everything arthroscopically through a few tiny holes.”

‘My buddies were amazed!’

Balogh had the all-arthroscopic ACL procedure and progressed rapidly. “A day out of surgery, the therapists were moving my leg,” he recalls. “I shed the crutches in less than two weeks.

“When I talked with a couple of college buddies who'd had ACL surgery in the ‘90s, they couldn't believe how fast I was progressing. They kept saying, ‘I can't believe you're doing this’ and ‘I can't believe you're doing that.’ And I told them, ‘Well, the procedure has changed.’

“I've got no patience to be sitting around,” he laughs.

Daniel Zanotti, MD

A friend recently had ACL surgery and it took him six months to completely heal. How fast can I heal from all-arthroscopic ACL replacement?

Although you can expect to have less pain and start rehab sooner after all-arthroscopic ACL replacement, it still takes six months before you can return to full activity. The body needs that time to incorporate the new tissue and fully heal the ACL.

For an appointment, call 440.329.2800.

Join us for the L'Amour du Vin-Lorain County Arthritis Foundation Fundraiser

Enjoy wines from around the world and signature cuisine from fine-dining restaurants. Celebrity chef Paul Jagielski from Henry's at the Barn will offer scrumptious samples from their award-winning menu. Tickets are $50 in advance or $65 on the day of the event.

Come to the Amherst Health/Joint Fair

Learn about the innovative procedures our orthopedic surgeons are using to relieve pain and help you get back to an active live. Free bone density and blood pressure screenings and strength testing.

Don't miss the Skeleton 5K
‘Run for Your Bones’

The Center for Orthopedics invites you to participate in our 10th annual 5K Run for Your Bones.

Proceeds will benefit the Amherst Schools Science Olympia, Amherst Running Club and the EMH Foundation. Cash awards will go to the top male and female runners.