Multi-ligament knee surgery

Multi-ligament knee injuries are usually caused by significant traumatic injuries. They involve ruptures to more than one of the major knee ligaments. Following multi-ligament injury, the knee is often unstable. Depending on the combination and the severity of damage to the various ligaments and tendons, reconstructive surgery may be required for all of the injured elements or just one or two. Some collateral ligament injuries can be treated non-operatively with bracing and good physiotherapy.

In view of the large spectrum of injury that multi-ligament knee injury encompasses as well as individual patient factors and expectations that accompany any medical condition, Nick Smith prefers to discuss your particular case with you in detail and plan the management accordingly after thorough assessment and investigations.

Surgical treatment

Multi-ligament reconstruction is complex surgery, which may be staged (more than one operation) or performed in a single operation. It is often accomplished successfully using both arthroscopic and open surgical techniques. It requires the use of autograft (patients own tendons) and allograft (donated tendons) in some circumstances. It usually involves a short hospital stay post-operatively and extensive rehabilitation programs to ensure success. A knee brace is commonly used initially to control knee motion and allow healing.

Surgical techniques, outcomes and potential complications are best discussed with Nick Smith in person.