28-05-2025
Rare keyhole knee surgery performed at Karaikal GH for young sportsperson
The Karaikal Government Hospital, in coordination with JIPMER-Karaikal, successfully performed an advanced Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery on a 24-year-old kabaddi player who had sustained a sports-related knee injury.
The procedure was led by Assistant Professor of Orthopaedics and Trauma at JIPMER-Karaikal N. Arul Kumar. The surgical team carried out an arthroscopic ACL reconstruction, a minimally invasive 'keyhole' surgery that uses a small camera (arthroscope) to repair torn ligaments through tiny incisions. In this case, the procedure was combined with meniscus repair, which restores the torn cushions of the knee joint.
Although the injury occurred nearly a year ago, the patient delayed seeking medical treatment and had been experiencing chronic knee instability, difficulty walking, and decreased muscle mass in the thigh. 'He couldn't run, and even while walking, his knee would feel unstable,' said Mr. Arul Kumar. 'Delayed treatment of ligament injuries like this can lead to muscle wasting and long-term mobility issues, and end up in early onset of osteoarthritis, especially in young adults,' he added.
The torn ligament was reconstructed using a hamstring graft. The surgery was successfully carried out using existing operation theatre infrastructure, with support from the anaesthesia team.
'Surgery accounts for only 50% to 60% of ACL recovery, the rest depends on proper post-operative care,' Mr. Arul Kumar emphasised. 'That's why early consultation is crucial, especially for young sportspersons, to avoid long-term disability.'
S. Kannagi, Medical Superintendent of Karaikal GH, noted that such advanced procedures are rarely performed at the district level and are usually done at private multi-specialty hospitals in urban areas. 'The hospital is now equipped with the necessary infrastructure to handle such critical cases,' she said.
The surgery, which typically costs over ₹2 lakh in private hospitals, was performed free of cost under the Ayushman Bharat health scheme added Ms. Kannagi
