Multi-Ligament Injury Surgery
in Dubai
Overview
Are you actively engaged in contact sports as an athlete?
If that’s the case, there’s a potential risk of experiencing intricate knee injuries. These injuries, often caused by severe high-energy impacts, can lead to knee dislocation and the tearing of multiple ligaments within the knee joint.
Dr. Hesham Al-Khateeb, a distinguished orthopedic specialist renowned for pioneering musculoskeletal care coupled with compassionate expertise, offers end-to-end Multi-Ligament injuries treatment in Dubai, rendering exceptional proficiency to steer you towards an optimal path of recovery.
Anatomy of the Knee
The knee joint relies on four primary ligaments to stabilize its motion between the thigh bone and the leg bone: the anterior cruciate ligament, the posterior cruciate ligament, the medial collateral ligament, and the lateral collateral ligament. These ligaments play a vital role in maintaining knee stability during various activities like walking, pivoting, turning, and engaging in athletic pursuits.
Multi-Ligament Injury
When more than one ligament in the knee sustains an injury, it’s termed as a multi-ligament knee injury, which often happens during sports or other physical endeavors. Such injuries involve damage to two or more ligaments within the knee joint and typically result from significant force or impact to the knee.
Moreover, accompanying damage to structures like the meniscus, tibia (shin bone), femur (thigh bone), patella (knee cap), costochondral cartilage (inner surface of knee joint), and surrounding soft tissues is also common.
Multi-ligament Injury Symptoms
Some of the symptoms of multiple knee ligament injuries are as follows:
Pain, swelling, deformity, and instability are characteristic symptoms observed after an acute trauma in cases of multiple knee ligament injuries.
Dysfunction of knee ligaments can result in instability, making walking challenging or even impossible for patients.
Damage to multiple knee ligaments may lead to additional complications, such as injury to nerves and blood vessels, manifesting as numbness, tingling, or weakness.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of a multi-ligament injury is initiated with a thorough clinical assessment conducted by our orthopedic surgeon. Key imaging modalities utilized for diagnosis encompass knee X-rays and MRI scans of the joint.
Moreover, functional evaluations can be conducted through arthroscopic examination before surgical reconstruction to corroborate diagnostic findings. These evaluations may involve tests like the “gap test,” which assesses the gap between the femur and tibia.
Contraindications for reconstructive knee surgery encompass previous knee joint infections, reflex sympathetic dystrophy, complex regional pain syndrome, and morbid obesity.
Multi-Ligament Injury Treatment
Surgical Approaches
In addressing multiple knee ligament injuries, our surgeon may employ various surgical techniques tailored to the specific nature and severity of the injury. These surgeries aim to restore stability, functionality, and overall knee joint health.
Here are some common types of surgeries:
Reconstruction Surgery:
This multi-ligament surgery involves reconstructing damaged ligaments using either autografts (tissues from the patient’s own body) or allografts (donor tissues). Surgeons typically use techniques such as arthroscopy to access the knee joint minimally invasively and then reconstruct the ligaments using specialized instruments and implants.
Repair Surgery
In cases where ligament damage is less severe or where the ligaments can be repaired rather than reconstructed, repair surgery may be performed. This involves suturing the torn ligaments back together using advanced surgical techniques.
Combined Ligament Reconstruction:
In instances where multiple ligaments are significantly damaged, surgeons may opt for combined ligament reconstruction surgeries. This approach involves addressing multiple ligaments in a single surgery session, often utilizing a combination of reconstruction and repair techniques to restore stability to the knee joint.
Rehabilitation Post-Surgery
Following surgery, a comprehensive rehabilitation program is crucial for optimal recovery. This typically involves physical therapy, exercises, and lifestyle modifications aimed at improving strength, flexibility, and range of motion in the knee joint. Additionally, regular follow-up appointments with the surgeon are essential to monitor progress, address any complications, and ensure the long-term success of the surgical intervention.
Physical Therapy
The success of your multi-ligament surgery heavily relies on your physiotherapy regimen. Your program will be customized based on various factors, such as the type and severity of your injury, the number of ligaments affected, the surgical technique used, and your pre-surgery condition.
The goals of your rehabilitation after multi-ligament surgery are as follows:
- Build strength
- Minimize swelling
- Restore normal gait
- Manage pain effectively
- Enhance range of motion
- Enhance muscle coordination
- Improve proprioception (balance and jumping ability)
- Gradually return to your usual activities, hobbies, or sports.
- Engage in functional exercises, including those tailored to your specific sport or activities
Non-Surgical Approaches
If the collateral ligaments on the inner and outer sides of your knee are affected, non-surgical treatments may facilitate recovery from the injury:
- Employing ice packs every 3-4 hours can help alleviate pain and swelling.
- Utilizing a compression bandage and wearing a brace can provide stabilization to your knee joint. Our doctor may recommend medications to mitigate pain and swelling.
- Engaging in strengthening exercises is crucial for joint stability, and your physiotherapist will tailor the exercise regimen according to the severity of your injury.
Seek highly-skilled treatment and multi-ligament knee surgery in Dubai with Dr. Hesham Al-Khateeb
For those seeking specialized care and advanced multi-ligament knee surgery in Dubai, Dr. Hesham Al-Khateeb offers unparalleled expertise and commitment to patient well-being. Each type of multi-ligament injury surgery is tailored to the individual patient’s needs, considering factors such as the extent of ligament damage, the patient’s age, activity level, and overall health. By employing these surgical techniques in conjunction with thorough rehabilitation and follow-up care, he strives to achieve the best possible outcomes for his patients.
By choosing Dr. Hesham Al-Khateeb, individuals can embark on a journey towards comprehensive healing and restored functionality, knowing they are in the hands of a highly experienced surgeon dedicated to their optimal recovery.
