On January 14, defender Ho Tan Tai's ligament injury surgery was successful. He is expected to be out of action for about 9 months.
“Tai’s ligaments were completely torn, and his outer meniscus was torn. Fortunately, his posterior corner was not affected. That is the most complicated part to handle, which can easily cause players to have loose knees and pain. The medial meniscus as well as other parts are still fine. Another thing is that Tai’s body is also strong, so he will recover quickly. I think in about 6 months, Tai will be able to practice with the ball again, and in 9 months he will be able to return to the field to compete,” Dr. Pham Quoc Hung shared.
According to Dr. Sinukumar Bhaskaran, Consultant, Adult Joint Replacement and Reconstruction and Robotic Joint Replacement Surgery (Hip and Knee), Manipal Hospital, Kharadi, Pune (India), anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is a knee injury in which the ligament tears, losing its ability to stabilize and control movement. Commonly seen in football, basketball, skiing, ACL causes pain, swelling and limited mobility. Surgery may be required to restore knee function.
Precautions to Take Before and After ACL Surgery
A speedy recovery from ACL surgery depends on strengthening the muscles around the knee, especially the hamstrings and quadriceps, says Dr. Sinukumar Bhaskaran. He recommends performing preoperative rehabilitation exercises to improve knee stability and flexibility.
Additionally, elevating the leg, applying ice to reduce swelling, and controlling pain with medication will help reduce inflammation. Maintaining a healthy weight after surgery can help reduce stress on the knee joint. Patients should discuss their medical history with their doctor, especially problems such as diabetes or blood clotting disorders, and avoid smoking and alcohol to aid in the recovery process.
Exercises to Do and Avoid After ACL Surgery
Exercises to do
Heel Slides: Helps improve knee mobility and strengthen the quadriceps muscles.
Quadriceps Exercise: Strengthens the quadriceps muscles, helping to stabilize the knee joint.
Passive range of motion exercises: Maintain range of motion of the knee joint without putting stress on the graft.
Resistance training: After 3 months, focus on the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes to increase stability.
Single-Leg Balance Exercise: Improves balance and coordination of the knee joint.
Controlled Jumping: Once recovered, perform light jumping exercises to restore knee mobility.
Exercises to avoid
Running, jumping, and twisting: These movements are high impact, can easily cause injury or aggravate symptoms.
Open knee extension: Overloads the graft and may slow healing.
Heavy leg presses: Increase stress on the knee joint, which can cause re-injury.
Deep squatting: Overloads the knee joint and damages the graft.
Twisting or changing direction suddenly: Can put undue stress on the ligaments and knee joint.
Important Note: All rehabilitation exercises should be performed under the supervision of a physical therapist to reduce the risk of re-injury and ensure effective recovery.
