PROF. DR. SAMMY HANNAMD · FACS · FRCS (TR&ORTH) · CCT (TR&ORTH)
ACL RECONSTRUCTION · ABU DHABI
Reconstruction is considered when the clinical picture, instability and activity demands make restoration of ACL stability important. The operation is only one part of the pathway: graft choice, associated injuries, pre-operative knee condition, rehabilitation and return-to-sport goals all shape the plan. ACL reconstruction in Abu Dhabi is carried out at Healthpoint Hospital by a FIFA-qualified sports knee surgeon.
CHAPTER 01 · THE DECISION
Select the situation closest to the decision being made. No single factor decides surgery on its own; the pattern is interpreted with examination, imaging, activity demands and goals.
Repeated giving way during turning, cutting or sport suggests functional instability. Reconstruction may become more relevant when the knee cannot reliably perform the movements that matter despite appropriate rehabilitation.
See what surgical planning establishes →CHAPTER 02 · PLANNING
Before reconstruction, the surgeon considers motion, swelling, stability, associated injury, graft strategy and the person's activity goals. A calm knee with restored extension and good muscle control provides a clearer starting point for postoperative rehabilitation.
Swelling, extension, flexion, gait and quadriceps control are reviewed so the operation is not planned in isolation from the knee's current condition.
Autograft and allograft options have different considerations. Age, sport, activity demands, anatomy, previous surgery and individual priorities help guide the discussion.
Meniscal repair, cartilage injury or additional ligament damage can change the procedure, early loading and rehabilitation plan.
The expected demands of work, running, cutting, pivoting and competition influence both surgical planning and the later rehabilitation targets.
ACL reconstruction creates a new stabilising graft, but successful recovery still depends on months of progressive rehabilitation and objective readiness.
“The operation reconstructs stability. The plan around it protects motion, strength and the return goal.”
CHAPTER 03 · THE RECONSTRUCTION
ACL reconstruction uses a tissue graft positioned between the femur and tibia to recreate the stabilising course of the native ACL. Bone tunnels and fixation are part of the reconstruction, while the exact graft, tunnel and fixation strategy varies with the patient and surgical technique.
SELECTED OBSERVATION 01 / 03
CHAPTER 05 · RETURN
Time is part of graft recovery, but return to higher-demand sport also requires clinical and functional readiness. Symptoms, motion, strength, movement quality and sport-specific testing are considered together.
Swelling is controlled, useful range of motion is restored and day-to-day loading is tolerated without repeated flare-ups.
Quadriceps, hamstring and whole-limb capacity are measured and progressed rather than assumed from appearance or time alone.
Landing, deceleration, direction change and other sport-specific tasks are introduced progressively and assessed for quality and confidence.
Return usually progresses from rehabilitation to running, non-contact training, sport-specific practice and competition rather than one sudden clearance.
FOLLOW THE NEXT QUESTION
These routes separate the original injury, associated structures and the later return-to-sport decision.
THE RECOVERY THAT MATTERS
Rehabilitation restores motion, muscle capacity, balance, movement control and tolerance for increasingly demanding activity. The target is not simply a healed incision—it is a knee that can perform the person's real-world tasks with confidence.
RELATED CLINICAL ROUTES
Meniscus, cartilage and other ligament injuries can change the procedure and rehabilitation. These pages keep each part of the sports-knee problem clear.
ACL RECONSTRUCTION FAQ
General information only. Graft choice, surgical technique, rehabilitation and return-to-sport recommendations require an individual clinical assessment.
Request an appointmentACL reconstruction uses a tissue graft to recreate the stabilising function of the torn ligament. The graft is positioned between the femur and tibia and secured while it incorporates and rehabilitation restores knee function.
No. Reconstruction is an individual decision based on functional instability, sport or work demands, associated injuries, rehabilitation progress and personal goals.
Several graft options exist, including autograft tissue from the patient's own body and allograft donor tissue. The best option depends on individual factors and should be discussed with the surgeon.
Reducing swelling, restoring full extension and useful flexion, and regaining quadriceps control provides a better starting point for surgery and postoperative rehabilitation.
Recovery progresses over many months and varies between individuals. The operation performed, associated injuries and functional progress all affect the pathway.
Return to sport is progressed when symptoms, swelling, range of motion, strength, movement control and functional testing support readiness. A calendar date alone is not enough.
PLAN THE WHOLE PATHWAY
Bring previous imaging, details of instability, prior rehabilitation, the activities or sport you want to return to and any previous knee surgery. The consultation can then connect graft strategy, associated injury, surgical planning and realistic rehabilitation expectations.
YOUR SPECIALIST
Prof. Hanna is a UK board-certified consultant orthopaedic hip and knee surgeon at Healthpoint Hospital, Abu Dhabi. His clinical interests include sports and soft-tissue knee problems, cruciate ligament injuries, arthroscopic surgery, knee cartilage and meniscus problems, partial knee replacement, primary and revision joint replacement, minimally invasive techniques and robotic-assisted hip and knee replacement.