Knee Ligament Surgery

Knee Ligament Surgery at CritiCare Asia Hospitals, Kurla

Knee ligament surgery is not one single operation. What is done depends on which structure is damaged. ACL reconstruction treats the ligament most often torn during pivoting or sudden changes of direction, and it is usually rebuilt with a tendon graft. PCL reconstruction is less common, often follows direct trauma such as a fall onto a bent knee, and uses a similar graft-based approach. Meniscus repair deals with the cartilage that cushions the joint, which is stitched back if the tear can heal and trimmed if it cannot. A single injury often damages more than one structure, so many patients need more than one of these done together. CritiCare Asia Hospitals is an orthopaedic hospital in Mumbai that treats knee injuries from everyday falls to sports accidents, and each case is judged on its own findings. Surgery is advised only when it is likely to help. When it is, knee ligament surgery in Kurla at our hospital is planned step by step and explained in plain terms.

When Is Surgery Needed?

Not every ligament injury needs an operation, but a few signs usually point towards one:

The knee feels like it is about to give way, especially when you change direction
Swelling and pain continue long after the injury, particularly after activity
Fully bending or straightening the knee becomes difficult
The knee locks or catches during movement

Physiotherapy, bracing and anti-inflammatory medication are normally tried first. If the knee stays unstable, or imaging confirms a complete tear, surgery becomes the next step. Physically active people are often advised towards reconstruction sooner, since returning to sport safely usually depends on it. Our knee surgeons in Mumbai at CritiCare Asia Hospitals go through these options with you before any decision is made.

Getting Ready for Surgery

Fasting instructions apply from the night before, and loose, comfortable clothing makes the day easier. Arrange for someone to drive you home and help around the house for the first several days, because stairs and long periods of standing will not be realistic at first. If you smoke, stopping beforehand improves healing. It also helps to go in knowing that the operation is only the starting point. The months of rehabilitation that follow matter just as much.

Possible Risks

Infection, blood clots and stiffness after surgery are the more familiar risks, and they are generally manageable with good care and early movement. Less often, the graft does not heal as expected and needs revision, or the knee stays unstable. Nerve irritation and reactions to anaesthesia are rarer. Talk through your own risk profile, including any earlier knee surgery or existing joint damage, with your surgeon beforehand.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery happens in stages rather than to a single timetable.

0 to 2 weeks
rest, ice, elevation and early movement to control swelling
2 to 6 weeks
physiotherapy begins in earnest, aimed at restoring range of motion
6 to 12 weeks
strengthening increases, often with low-impact work such as cycling
3 to 6 months
light sport and normal activity usually resume, depending on progress
6 to 12 months
full recovery, with strength work continuing to protect the knee

Rushing these stages, especially returning to high-impact activity early, is one of the more common causes of setbacks.

Treatment Options: How Knee Ligament Surgery Is Done

Your surgeon starts by reviewing X-rays and an MRI alongside your medical history and activity level. Blood tests check for anything that could complicate surgery, and medicines such as blood thinners are reviewed and adjusted. Building strength and flexibility around the knee beforehand, known as prehabilitation, tends to smooth recovery.

In most cases, reconstruction is arthroscopic, using small incisions, a camera and fine instruments. The torn ligament is removed, and a graft is anchored in its place through tunnels drilled in the bone. The graft usually comes from your own body, often the hamstring, patellar or quadriceps tendon (autograft), or less commonly from a donor (allograft). Autografts carry a lower risk of rejection, while allografts avoid a second surgical site. The choice depends on your age, activity level, and your surgeon's assessment of the knee.

Afterwards, you rest in recovery as the anaesthesia wears off, and pain relief starts straight away. Crutches help in the first stretch, with weight-bearing limited as your surgeon directs, and physiotherapy usually begins within the first week or two, starting gently.