Tailored Care for Speedy Recovery

DANIEL* was 25 years old when he injured his knees while playing football. Scans confirmed that it was an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear.

- KAVITA BAJELI-DATT @New Delhi

DANIEL* was 25 years old when he injured his knees while playing football. Scans confirmed that it was an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) tear. As a professional sportsperson, this was concerning for him as injuries and keeping away from games could break his career. Following his diagnosis, doctors at the Sports Injury Centre at Vardhman Mahavir Medical College (VMMC) and Safdarjung Hospital in Delhi, crafted a personalized treatment plan tailored to address his specific needs and help him regain mobility.

They opted for a surgical procedure to repair the torn ACL by recreating the ligament's natural anatomy within the knee joint. Following surgery, the young man was enrolled in a customized, phase-wise rehabilitation program. As healing progressed, he underwent progressive strength training, agility drills, and rehab, which included underwater treadmill training and hydrotherapy—exercising in a pool as part of the treatment.

In just six months, the footballer had regained his full capacity and returned to his game with the same confidence.

What worked in his quick recovery was that he underwent a minimally invasive surgical procedure, as opposed to traditional open surgery, which is now commonly being used due to technological advancements for diagnosing and treating joint problems.

"Arthroscopic surgery, a minimally invasive technique, has significantly advanced the repair of muscle and bone injuries. It has enhanced surgical accuracy, reduced complications, and supported quicker recovery," said Dr. Deepak Joshi, director of Sports Injury Centre, VMMC and Safdarjung Hospital.

"High-definition arthroscopes, along with augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) technologies, provide surgeons with better visualization and guidance during surgery, leading to increased precision," he added.