ACL Reconstruction Surgeon in Surat

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the primary stabilising ligaments of the knee. It can be torn by a sudden twisting force, a direct blow, or rapid deceleration — common in cricket, football, basketball, kabaddi, and similar sports. Not every ACL tear requires surgery, but reconstruction is typically considered when:

• Complete ACL tear with instability — the knee gives way during walking, stairs, or lateral movements, limiting daily activity and confidence in the joint.
• Return-to-sport goals — patients who want to return to pivoting, cutting, or contact sports generally require reconstruction to achieve a stable, functional knee.
• Associated meniscal or cartilage injury — when a meniscal tear accompanies the ACL rupture, addressing both at the same arthroscopic procedure is often appropriate.
• Partial tears with persistent instability — some partial tears continue to cause giving-way despite physiotherapy, and may benefit from reconstruction after a period of conservative management. The appropriate approach is assessed individually at consultation.

The decision between surgery and physiotherapy-led rehabilitation depends on tear grade, the patient's age, activity demands, and any concurrent knee injuries. See also: ACL tear — surgery or physiotherapy?

ACL rehabilitation is a phased process. Timelines below are approximate and vary by individual, graft type, associated injuries, and physiotherapy adherence.

• Phase 1 — Protection and swelling control (weeks 0–6) — focus on reducing swelling, restoring full passive extension, and regaining early range of motion. Partial weight-bearing progresses to full weight-bearing; a brace may be used during this phase.
• Phase 2 — Strengthening (weeks 6–16) — progressive quadriceps and hamstring strengthening, neuromuscular control exercises, and closed-chain loading. Walking and low-impact activity are typically well tolerated by week 6–8.
• Phase 3 — Sport-specific training (months 4–8) — running, agility drills, change-of-direction work, and progressive sport-specific loading. Graft maturation continues during this phase; premature return to contact sport before adequate strength and neuromuscular control is a risk factor for re-injury.
• Phase 4 — Return to sport (months 9–12+) — formal return-to-sport testing assessing strength symmetry, hop performance, and psychological readiness. Return to competitive sport is cleared when objective criteria are met, not on a fixed calendar date.

Pre-operative physiotherapy to restore range of motion and reduce swelling before surgery is associated with improved post-operative outcomes and is discussed at consultation.