Knee Ligament Surgery

Knee Ligament Surgery at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Malad

A twisted knee on the football ground, a fall on a wet staircase, a sudden stop while playing with the children: knee ligament injuries happen to people of every age and routine. The surgery that follows is not a single procedure. ACL reconstruction addresses the ligament most often torn during pivoting or sudden changes of direction, usually rebuilt with a tendon graft. PCL reconstruction, less common and often linked to a fall onto a bent knee, follows a similar graft-based approach. Meniscus repair treats the cartilage cushioning the joint, either stitched back when it can heal or trimmed when it cannot. Many people need more than one of these at once. CritiCare Asia Hospitals is an orthopaedic hospital in Mumbai where patients often bring a family member along to every visit, and we welcome that. Our team explains each step to both of you, and knee ligament surgery in Malad is planned only after that conversation.

Signs That Surgery May Be Needed

Not every ligament injury needs an operation. These signs make it more likely:

A feeling that the knee will give way, mostly when changing direction
Pain and swelling that linger well after the injury, especially after activity
Difficulty bending or fully straightening the knee
Locking or catching as the knee moves

Physiotherapy, bracing and anti-inflammatory medicines come first for most people. If the knee stays unstable, or an MRI confirms a complete tear, surgery becomes the sensible next step. Young athletes and active adults are often advised towards reconstruction sooner, because a safe return to sport usually depends on it. Our ACL PCL surgery specialists in Malad will tell you honestly whether you are at that point.

Risks to Know About

Infection, blood clots, and stiffness are the more familiar risks after ligament or meniscus surgery, and good care with early movement usually keeps them in check. Rarely, a graft does not heal well and needs revision, or the knee remains unstable. Nerve irritation and anaesthesia reactions are rarer still. Your surgeon will go through your own risks, including any earlier knee surgery or joint damage, so that expectations are realistic.

Preparing at Home and in Hospital

Fasting begins the night before, and loose clothing makes the day easier. Someone should drive you home and stay for the first several days, since stairs and standing for long periods are hard at first. If anyone in the household smokes, this is a good time for the patient to stop, as quitting improves healing. Strengthening the knee beforehand, known as prehabilitation, supports a smoother recovery, and it helps to remember that the months of rehabilitation after surgery matter as much as the operation.

The Road to Recovery

Recovery moves in stages, and families do well when everyone knows what comes next.

0 to 2 weeks
rest, ice, elevation and gentle early movement
2 to 6 weeks
physiotherapy begins in earnest to regain range of motion
6 to 12 weeks
strengthening grows, often with low-impact activity like cycling
3 to 6 months
light sport and normal activity usually return, depending on progress
6 to 12 months
full recovery, with continued strength work

Going back to high-impact activity too early is a common cause of setbacks, so patience is part of the treatment.

Treatment Options and Procedure

Before surgery, your surgeon reviews X-rays and an MRI along with your history and activity level. Blood tests check for complications, and medicines, especially blood thinners, are reviewed.

Most reconstructions are arthroscopic, done through small incisions with a camera and slim instruments. The torn ligament is removed, and a graft is secured in tunnels drilled through the bone. The graft is usually your own tissue, such as the hamstring, patellar or quadriceps tendon (autograft), or less often donor tissue (allograft). Autografts carry a lower risk of rejection, and allografts avoid a second surgical site. The choice depends on age, activity level, and your surgeon's advice.

Afterwards, you recover as the anaesthesia wears off, with pain relief started at once. Crutches help early on, weight-bearing is limited as advised, and physiotherapy usually starts gently within the first week or two.