ACL Surgery in Dubai |
Best ACL Surgeons in Dubai

At King’s, our expert orthopaedic surgeons have access to the most advanced diagnostic technology in Dubai to help ensure you receive the best treatment possible for your Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injury.

What is an ACL Injury?

An ACL injury occurs when there is a tear or sprain of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is one of the key ligaments in your knee. These types of injuries are common, especially in sports involving sudden stops, sharp turns and jumping. Activities such as football, basketball, softball, and skiing are among the most common causes of ACL injuries.

What are the common signs and symptoms of an ACL tear?

If you experience a sudden sharp pain in your knee alongside a loud “pop” or popping sensation, it could be a sign of ACL injury. Most people will also suffer symptoms such as:

• Rapid swelling of the knee
• A reduced range of motion
• Difficulty with weight bearing and a feeling of instability

What are the common causes of ACL injury?

The ACL ligament is a strong band of tissue which connects the thighbone (femur) to your shinbone (tibia). It plays a key part in keeping your knee stable, and this is why you may experience a feeling of your knee giving way when you have an ACL injury.

ACL injuries often happen during sports, and they can be caused by sudden and varied movements.

Activities that can put a lot of stress on the ACL include:

• Stopping or slowing suddenly
• Pivoting heavily on your foot
• Jumping and landing awkwardly
• Receiving a direct impact to the knee, such as a football tackle

Your risk factors for getting injured may be higher if you:

• Wear poorly fitting or inappropriate sports shoes.
• Participate in sports such as soccer, softball, football, skiing, and basketball.
• Are female – it is thought that differences in strength, anatomy and hormones may put women at an increased risk of an ACL injury.
• Have poor conditioning or a lack of strength in the knee.
• Use defective sports equipment.
• Play on artificial grass.

In some cases, an ACL injury can be considered mild, with the ligament being stretched but still intact. In more serious cases, the ligament will be wholly or partially torn.

How will your ACL injury be diagnosed?

To reach a diagnosis, your doctor will examine your knee to see how badly the ACL has been stretched or torn. To establish this, they may send you for one or more imaging tests (scans):

• X-ray – to help check for any fractures.
• Ultrasound scan – to help your doctor see the condition of your soft tissues.
• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan – this provides a detailed look at any soft tissue damage, particularly to tendons, cartilage, muscles and ligaments.

Once your doctor has established how severe your injury is, they will decide on an appropriate treatment plan that suits your needs.

What is the treatment for an ACL injury?

Whether you require non-surgical or surgical treatment will depend on the extent of the damage to your ACL, your symptoms and whether any surrounding tissues have also been affected.

An ACL injury is commonly classified by grade, and we treat all three grades of injury at King’s

• Grade 1 – Mild damage. In this case, the ACL is mildly stretched but still provides adequate support to the knee joint. You’ll likely be able to avoid surgery and focus on recovery.
• Grade 2 – Partially torn. Here, the ACL is both stretched and partially torn, leading to moderate instability in the knee. Surgery may be required.
• Grade 3 – This is when the ACL is completely torn, which means it doesn’t provide any stability to the knee joint. Surgery would be recommended depending on age, profession and hobbies to make the most informed decision for you.

What should you do if you have torn your ACL?

It is important to practice first aid immediately after an ACL injury occurs. In the first instance and later on at home, you should follow the R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, elevation) approach to help reduce pain and swelling.

Can Physiotherapy help an ACL tear?

If you are a candidate for non-surgical treatment, you may be referred for physiotherapy and rehabilitation. You may need to continue the therapy for several weeks. It is essential that you follow the exercises as advised to increase your chances of recovering well. You may also need to wear a hinged knee brace.

Does King’s College Hospital Dubai offer ACL surgery?

Yes, King’s offers advanced ACL surgery performed by expert orthopaedic surgeons. When it comes to fixing a torn ACL, the surgery usually involves replacing the torn ligament with a substitute graft made of tendon. There are different types of grafts which can be performed either using a tendon from your own body (where the graft is known as an autograft) or by using a tendon from a donor body (known as an allograft). Common options for the graft include use of the following tendons:

• Patellar (kneecap) tendon
• Hamstring tendon
• Quadriceps tendon
• Achilles tendon (when using a donor tendon)

Before your surgery, you may need to go through some physiotherapy and wear a brace for a while to allow the ligament time to heal.

After surgery, it is normal to feel some pain, and your doctor will prescribe short-term painkillers to help you feel comfortable in your recovery.

What is recovery like after ACL surgery?

In the first 10 to 14 days after surgery, your doctor might suggest wearing a brace or using crutches to help with weight bearing.

You will also be given physiotherapy, which plays a key role in ensuring your surgery is successful and helps the healing process. The main aim of rehabilitation following an ACL reconstruction is to reduce swelling in your knee, maintain mobility of the kneecap, regain full range of motion of the knee and strengthen the muscles surrounding your knee.

To make your recovery as smooth as possible, it is important that you follow the advice and exercises dictated by your doctor and physiotherapist.

Your doctor will advise you when you can return to sports activities.

Why is King’s College Hospital the best place for ACL surgery in Dubai?

At King’s College Hospital Dubai, you are in expert hands when it comes to ACL surgery. Our expert orthopaedic surgeons use the latest techniques and focus on your whole journey from the moment you come in, including accurate diagnosis, expert surgery and personalised physiotherapy.

Our care is backed by the trusted reputation of King’s College Hospital London, so you know you are getting the same world-class treatment in Dubai.

Who are the best ACL Surgeons in Dubai?

The best orthopaedic surgeons in Dubai for ACL surgery include:

-Dr Shine Ashokan
-Dr Farid Ghasemzadeh Mojaveri
-Dr Imtiaz Hashmi
-Dr Charalampos Harry Kremmydas
-Dr Emad Tawfik