Orthopedic Services

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the fibrous tissue connecting the femur and tibia. Its function is to limit the forward movement of the tibia and maintain the stability of the knee joint. If the knee is overextended, over-rotated or sustains high impact trauma, it may be torn. This subsequently undermines a patient’s ability to move and exercise.

An ACL tear is a very common sports injury. It is often seen in sports that require frequent and rapid changes in direction and jumping, such as football and basketball.

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury. If the tear is not serious, conservative treatment (such as physiotherapy) is generally recommended. Traditional arthroscopic ACL reconstruction or the newly introduced artificial cruciate ligament reconstruction may be considered if the tear is severe, involves a meniscus tear, or if the patient is active in sports. Surgery restores the stability and mobility of the patient's knee joint.

The meniscus is a crescent-shaped fibrocartilaginous structure in the knee. There are two menisci in each knee - one at the inner side (medial) and one at the lateral side (outside) of the knee to stabilize the knee joint. The menisci also act as buffers and shock absorbers.

A meniscus tear is a common sports injury. The menisci can be torn if the knee is twisted or rotated forcefully.

Treatment depends on the location and severity of the meniscal injury. The outside (periphery) of the meniscus is well-supplied with blood vessels and can usually heal well. Therefore, a lateral (peripheral) tear can be repaired by arthroscopy and the injury will then heal gradually.

If the tear is more serious, surgical removal of the torn meniscus may be required. Artificial meniscal reconstruction can be considered though this procedure is not suitable for everyone. Reconstruction is usually only recommended to patients aged between 18 and 50 with intact meniscus corners and intact or partially degraded articular cartilage in the knee. Physiotherapy is required after surgery.

The knee joint is the largest joint in the human body. It consists of the thighbone (femur), the shinbone (tibia), the patella, the anterior and posterior cruciate ligaments, and the menisci. It supports most of the weight of the body and acts as a pivot for the lower leg. The distal end of the femur and the proximal end of the tibia are covered with cartilage, which act as lubricants and shock absorbers while reducing friction and wearing between bones.

Knee cartilage degenerates gradually with age. Degradation of the knee joint may be accelerated if a person is overweight, has poor posture, suffers from knee injuries, or subjects the knees to long-term overuse, resulting in degenerative arthritis (osteoarthritis). Common symptoms include frequent pain, joint stiffness, and deformation, and in some cases, it may even be difficult for a person to walk, affecting his or her quality of life.

In minor cases, drugs combined with weight reduction, adequate exercise, or physiotherapy can reduce joint pain and improve mobility. If the above methods do not relieve symptoms or if the condition is more serious, patients can consider artificial knee joint replacement surgery. New technology has reduced the amount of blood loss during surgery and postoperative pain. Some patients can even consider replacing both knees with artificial joints during the same operation.