A Professional Basketball Player With Two Injuries in One Knee: A Surgical Case
Dr. Amr Elyamany describes the case of a professional basketball player who arrived with two injuries in the same knee: a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and a torn medial (inner) meniscus.
What the surgeons found
When they entered the joint with the arthroscope, the medial meniscus tear turned out to be complete and complex, meaning it was complicated in shape.
How each injury was treated
- The repairable part of the meniscus, the area that still had a blood supply, was repaired with sutures and anchors.
- The part that could not be repaired was trimmed using radiofrequency.
- The ACL was rebuilt with a graft taken from the peroneus longus tendon around the ankle. Dr. Amr notes that it gives the same results as the hamstring graft, with a smaller wound, and the rehabilitation suits basketball players well.
The outcome
The operation was successful, and the patient is recovering. Return to sport is expected within six to nine months, depending on progress in rehabilitation.
Key takeaway: Combined ACL and meniscus injuries can be treated in one keyhole operation, and the meniscus should be saved when it can be.
When to see a doctor
- A knee injury with immediate swelling
- A knee that locks or gives way
- Persistent pain that stops you from training
Need advice about your own case? Book a consultation with Dr. Amr Elyamany in Dubai.
This article is for general education and does not replace an in-person medical examination. If you have symptoms, please consult a qualified doctor.