ACL Reconstruction in Sharjah
Medically reviewed by Dar Al Kamal Team
What is ligament reconstruction?
Ligament reconstruction is an operation that builds a new ligament to replace one that has torn. A torn anterior cruciate ligament rarely heals back together on its own, so instead of stitching the torn ends the surgeon replaces the ligament with a graft, usually taken from one of your own tendons. The graft is passed through small tunnels drilled in the thigh bone and shin bone and fixed at each end, recreating the ligament's path through the knee.
At Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah, ligament reconstruction is carried out by the orthopedic surgical team using keyhole techniques. The ACL is the most common ligament reconstructed, and the same principles apply to other knee ligaments and to the outer ankle ligaments when a sprained ankle has left the joint repeatedly giving way.
Who needs it
ACL reconstruction suits people whose knee gives way after a ligament tear, especially those who want to return to sports involving pivoting, cutting and jumping, such as football, basketball, padel and martial arts. A typical ACL injury happens during a sudden change of direction or an awkward landing, often with a pop, rapid swelling and an inability to carry on playing.
The decision takes into account your age, your sport, your job, any other damage inside the knee such as a meniscus tear, and how the knee behaves after a period of rehabilitation. Some people who play only straight-line sports manage well with a strengthening programme alone, while others need reconstruction to regain a stable knee. Your surgeon talks through both paths. Ankle ligament reconstruction is considered when an ankle keeps rolling despite a full rehabilitation programme.
What happens
ACL reconstruction is carried out under general or spinal anaesthetic, often with a nerve block for pain relief afterwards. The surgeon first looks inside the knee with an arthroscope and treats any other damage, such as repairing or trimming a torn meniscus. The graft is then harvested, commonly from the hamstring tendons at the back of the thigh or from the middle of the kneecap tendon, and prepared to the right length and thickness.
Small tunnels are drilled at the precise points where the original ligament attached, the graft is pulled into place, and it is fixed with screws or buttons designed for this purpose. The small incisions are closed and the knee is dressed, sometimes with a brace. Many patients go home the same day or the next day, walking with crutches.
Preparing for it
The knee does best when surgery takes place after the early swelling has settled and movement has returned. Before the operation, a period of guided exercise, often called prehabilitation, restores a full straight knee and builds thigh strength, and people who start surgery with a strong, mobile knee tend to recover more smoothly.
A pre-operative check reviews your health and medicines. Practise walking with crutches, arrange a lift home, and prepare your home so you can move around safely with a stiff, bandaged knee. Plan time away from work and sport with your surgeon's timeline in mind.
Afterwards
Rehabilitation starts within days and follows a staged programme through physiotherapy arranged as part of your care pathway. Early goals are controlling swelling and regaining full straightening of the knee, followed by strength, balance, running, and finally the cutting and jumping of your sport. The new graft goes through a long maturing phase inside the knee, which is why the return to sport is staged by strength and movement tests instead of by the calendar. Your surgeon gives you a timeline for your case.
Contact the hospital if a wound becomes red, hot or starts to leak, if you develop a fever, or if the knee becomes much more swollen, painful or stiff. Go to the emergency department straight away if you develop pain and swelling in the calf, chest pain or sudden breathlessness, as these can be signs of a blood clot.
Cost and insurance
Ligament reconstruction usually needs pre-approval from your insurer, supported by the MRI report and the examination findings. Approval normally covers the operation, the anaesthetic and the fixation devices, while physiotherapy afterwards is often approved separately with a session limit, which matters for a long programme. Some policies exclude injuries from professional sport. Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah can help you confirm your cover on 06 599 7777.
Related services
Frequently asked questions
Can a torn ACL heal on its own?
A completely torn ACL rarely heals back together on its own, although the knee can become stable enough for daily life and straight-line activity with a good strengthening programme. Reconstruction is usually recommended for people who want to return to pivoting sports or whose knee keeps giving way.
Do I need surgery for a torn ACL?
Not everyone with a torn ACL needs surgery. People who avoid pivoting sports and whose knee feels stable after rehabilitation often manage well without reconstruction, while those whose knee gives way, or who want to return to sports like football, padel or basketball, usually benefit from it. Your surgeon helps you weigh these options.
What are the risks of ligament reconstruction?
Ligament reconstruction carries risks including infection, blood clots, stiffness, pain at the graft site, numbness near the incision and a reaction to the anaesthetic. The graft can tear again, particularly with an early return to sport, and some people develop arthritis in the knee years later. Your surgeon explains how these risks apply to you.
Which graft will be used for my ACL?
The most common grafts are taken from the hamstring tendons or from the kneecap tendon, and each has advantages depending on your sport, age and knee. Your surgeon explains which graft suits you and why before the operation.
Why does return to sport after ACL reconstruction take so long?
After ACL reconstruction the graft must bond to the bone and gradually mature into ligament-like tissue, and the muscles around the knee need to regain their strength and control. Returning before both have recovered is the main cause of the graft tearing again, so return to sport is decided by testing.
Can the other knee be injured too?
People who have torn one ACL have a higher chance of injuring the ACL in the other knee, especially in pivoting sports. The balance, landing and strength training in rehabilitation protects both knees, which is why continuing it after return to sport is worthwhile.
Is ACL reconstruction covered by insurance?
Most UAE insurance plans cover ACL reconstruction with pre-approval, supported by the MRI and examination, but physiotherapy afterwards may have its own session limit and some policies exclude professional sport injuries. Confirm your cover with Dar Al Kamal Hospital, Sharjah on 06 599 7777.
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