Where in Dubai
Dr. Subhash Ushakoyala, Specialist Orthopaedic Surgeon, sees ACL injuries at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai. Tell him which sport you play and what your job asks of your knee, because both shape the plan. If you were seen first in an emergency department or a sports clinic, bring their notes and any MRI report on a disc or your phone. He explains the options and, if surgery is advised, where it would be done.
What is an ACL tear?
The anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is a strong band inside the middle of the knee. It stops the shin bone sliding forward and keeps the knee steady when you twist or turn. It usually tears when you land, stop suddenly or change direction with the foot planted, as in football, basketball or volleyball, or in a fall. Most ACL tears happen without anyone touching you. Many people feel a pop and the knee gives way, then swells within hours. A torn ACL does not grow back together on its own, but not everyone needs an operation. The choice depends on how unstable the knee feels, your sport and work, and any other damage inside the knee.
Common signs
- A pop or a tearing feeling in the knee during sport or a fall.
- Swelling that comes up within a few hours of the injury.
- The knee giving way, or feeling loose, when you turn or step off a kerb.
- Pain along the joint line, and difficulty straightening or bending the knee fully.
- Trouble walking normally in the days after the injury.
How Dr. Subhash approaches it
Dr. Subhash performs keyhole knee surgery, and his CV lists ligament reconstruction and meniscus repair among his knee arthroscopy work. He attended a basic and advanced knee arthroscopy conference in Hyderabad in 2016. He first finds out how unstable your knee is and whether the meniscus or other ligaments are also hurt. He then explains both paths: a structured rehabilitation programme, or ACL reconstruction followed by rehabilitation, and what each means for your sport and job.
What to expect
Consultation
He asks how the injury happened and examines both knees, testing how far the shin bone moves forward.
Scans
An X-ray checks for a small fracture. An MRI shows the ACL tear and any meniscus, cartilage or other ligament damage.
Calming the knee
Rest, ice, a compression bandage and early exercises bring the swelling down and get the knee straightening again.
Choosing a path
Some people do well with rehabilitation alone. Surgery is usually advised for people in pivoting sport, for a knee that keeps giving way, or when other parts of the knee are also torn.
Rehabilitation
Whichever path you take, months of guided exercise rebuild strength and balance. Return to sport is based on tests, not just time.
Getting better
Every patient is different. These are typical milestones, not a promise; your own plan comes from your consultation.
- The swelling usually settles over the first few weeks.
- Without surgery, rehabilitation focuses on strength and control so the knee stays steady in daily life.
- After ACL reconstruction, most people walk without crutches within a few weeks.
- Return to full sport after surgery usually takes nine to twelve months, depending on your strength, control and progress.
- Exercises to protect the knee are worth continuing once you are back in sport.
Risks to know about
- Playing on a knee that keeps giving way can tear the meniscus or damage the cartilage.
- After surgery: infection, stiffness, a blood clot, or the new graft tearing again, which is more likely if sport resumes too early.
When to book a visit
Book a visit if your knee swelled within hours of a twist, or if it still feels loose or gives way after the swelling settles. Seek help the same day if the knee is locked and will not straighten, or if the leg looks deformed after an injury.
Where to book
Dr. Subhash sees patients at Grand Infinity Medical Center in Al Muteena, Deira, in north-east Dubai. The clinic is at Shop No. 4, next to the Grand Excelsior Hotel.
Grand Infinity Medical Center
Shop No. 4, next to Grand Excelsior Hotel, Al Muteena, Deira, Dubai, United Arab Emirates
DirectionsCall +971 58 599 7460WhatsApp
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Questions patients ask
I hurt my knee playing football in Dubai last night. Should I go to the clinic?
If you cannot put weight on the leg, the leg looks deformed, or you have numbness or a cold foot, go to an emergency department or call 998. Otherwise rest, ice and elevate the knee, and book a clinic visit within the next few days.
Can I walk on a torn ACL?
Often yes, once the swelling settles. The problem is usually turning and twisting, not straight-line walking. Avoid sport and sudden changes of direction until you have been assessed.
Does every ACL tear need surgery?
No. People who do not play pivoting sport and whose knee does not give way can do well with rehabilitation alone. Surgery is usually advised for active people, a knee that stays unstable, or tears that come with other damage.
Is a partial ACL tear different?
Yes. A partial tear may leave the knee stable enough to manage with rehabilitation. The examination and MRI together show how much of the ligament still works.
Book an appointment
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