September 12, 2025
Whether you’re a weekend warrior or a professional athlete, knee injuries are among the most frequent and disruptive setbacks in sports. High-impact activities, such as football, basketball, tennis, and long-distance running, put immense pressure on the knee joint.
The good news? With advancements in modern sports injury treatment and orthopedic surgery, many athletes make a full recovery with improved mobility and reduced pain.
At Reem Hospital, our Orthopedic & Sports Medicine experts, such as Dr. Philippe Neyret, offer targeted care for athletic injuries, focusing on fast recovery and long-term performance.
An ACL tear occurs due to twisting when landing from a jump, sudden deceleration, or direction changes. This injury often requires ACL reconstruction surgery for athletes aiming to return to peak performance.
Twisting motions during sports like soccer or tennis can damage the meniscus or the cartilage of the knee. Partial tears may heal with rest, while complex ones require arthroscopic knee surgery.
Frequent jumping in sports such as basketball or volleyball can cause pain below the kneecap. Treatment ranges from adaptation of sports activities to physiotherapy, bracing, and possibly PRP injection.
Rare but serious, knee dislocation is a traumatic event like a fall or collision can force knee bones out of alignment. This medical emergency often requires immediate transfer to the hospital for further investigations.
When landing from a jump or during a twist, the patella dislocates. Most often, it spontaneously reduces. At the acute phase, radiographs are mandatory. Conservative management (painkillers, anti-inflammatory medications, braces, and physiotherapy) is initially proposed. Complementary imaging is required to indicate the best management plan, which is frequently surgical.
Many factors must be considered, including patient expectations. Knee surgery is needed when:
In older or long-term athletes, realignment of the lower limb or knee replacement surgery may be recommended to restore mobility and eliminate pain.
Surgery helps eliminate chronic discomfort, reducing the need for ongoing painkillers.
Athletes often regain the ability to run, stretch, squat, and train post-rehab.
Reconstructive surgeries can prevent further knee injuries and enhance joint support.
Proper surgical treatment can delay or prevent arthritis and future complications.
Enables athletes to safely resume their sporting activities at competitive levels.
Athletes can go back to sports, but the timeline varies based on injury severity and the type of surgery.
Low-impact sports such as swimming, cycling, walking, Pilates, and yoga are usually allowed in the following weeks. Your orthopedic surgeon will provide clear guidance based on your surgery and sport.
Reem Hospital uses personalized pain management plans to ensure athletes recover comfortably. Our multimodal approach includes:
The goal is to proactively treat pain, not wait until it becomes unmanageable.
In athletes, middle-aged adults, and older patients, all surgeries carry some degree of risk. However, orthopedic knee procedures are generally safe and highly effective when performed by skilled surgeons.
Possible complications include:
The expected benefits are significant.
Complications, sometimes minor and rarely severe, should not overshadow the benefits of the surgery benefits of surgery. Knee surgery has become one of the most reliable surgeries with an excellent potential to improve the quality of your life. A good rehabilitation program is essential to achieving the best result possible and will minimize the risk of many of these complications. Constant communication between the patient, surgeon, and physical therapist will ensure that any complications are recognized and addressed as early as possible to avoid any long-term negative effects.
For older patients (those over 60 years old), knee replacement surgery has become one of the most reliable procedures for dramatically improving mobility and quality of life. In the longer term, some patients may experience late complications, sometimes referred to as prosthesis disease.
For middle-aged patients (40–50 years old), in some circumstances, “osteotomy” can be performed to realign the lower limb. This helps lower stress on the damaged cartilage and improve joint function, potentially delaying the need for full knee replacement.
Yes, bilateral knee replacement surgery is an option for healthier adolescents and individuals below 65 years old who have equal damage in both knees. It allows for one recovery period instead of two, but it involves more complex monitoring and longer rehabilitation.
Before undergoing knee surgery, be prepared to ask:
Non-surgical options may include physical therapy, bracing, anti-inflammatory medications, corticosteroids, more frequently hyaluronic acid (gel), or PRP (platelets rich plasma) injections, and activity modification. These can be effective for mild to moderate injuries or for individuals not yet ready for surgery. But sometimes it is more dangerous to postpone the operation than to be operated on.
Physiotherapy is a vital part of recovery. It helps restore range of motion, strengthen muscles, reduce stiffness, and prevent scar tissue. Skipping rehab can delay recovery and increase reinjury risk.
Follow your doctor’s advice and rehab program strictly
Gradually return to sports
Use proper technique and form
Maintain overall muscle balance and flexibility
You will need to discuss this with your surgeon. Your surgeon will determine, taking into account your expectations and lifestyle, the framework in which you will live with your prosthesis. You may experience symptoms (discomfort, pain, effusion) or even complications (fracture, wear) if you leave this framework. And you will be frustrated because you will not be able to do the things that you want to do.
Asking these questions ensures your care plan is tailored to your goals and athletic demands.
Knee injuries can be frustrating — but they don’t have to end your athletic journey. From ligament repair to full knee replacement, modern procedures are designed to help you live pain-free, move freely, and get back to doing what you love.
At Reem Hospital, our Orthopedic & Sports Injury Unit is dedicated to helping athletes recover with expert care, personalized rehab plans, and the latest surgical techniques.
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