Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction at Aster MIMS Kannur by Dr. Vishnu Baburaj — PGI-trained orthopaedic and sports injury surgeon. Hamstring and quadriceps tendon autografts. Structured return-to-sport rehabilitation.
Expert arthroscopic surgery with a structured rehabilitation programme — right here in Kannur.
Dr. Vishnu Baburaj was trained in arthroscopic surgery at PGIMER Chandigarh — one of India's highest-volume centres for sports injuries and ligament reconstruction.
All ACL reconstructions are performed through small keyhole incisions using an HD camera system. This means less pain, minimal scarring, and faster recovery.
A milestone-based rehabilitation programme guides you from surgery through return to sport. Each phase has clear goals, exercises, and progression criteria.
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the key stabilising ligaments of the knee.
ACL injuries commonly occur during sports that involve sudden stops, direction changes, or landing from jumps — football, basketball, volleyball, kabaddi, and badminton. A twisting injury to the knee with the foot planted is the classic mechanism. ACL tears also occur in road traffic accidents and falls.
A popping sensation at the time of injury, rapid swelling within hours, inability to continue playing, and a feeling of the knee "giving way" during walking or turning. If you experience these symptoms, see an orthopaedic surgeon promptly — early assessment prevents further damage.
An ACL-deficient knee is unstable. Without reconstruction, repeated episodes of giving way can damage the meniscus (shock absorber) and articular cartilage, leading to early arthritis. Reconstruction restores stability and protects the knee from further injury.
Your ACL reconstruction journey at Aster MIMS Kannur.
Dr. Vishnu Baburaj performs clinical tests to assess knee stability and orders an MRI to confirm the ACL tear and check for associated injuries (meniscal tears, cartilage damage, other ligament injuries). Treatment options — surgical and non-surgical — are discussed.
Before surgery, you work on reducing swelling, restoring full knee extension, and building quadriceps strength. This "prehabilitation" phase typically takes 2-4 weeks and leads to better surgical outcomes.
The procedure takes approximately 60-90 minutes under spinal anaesthesia. The torn ACL is replaced with a graft (usually hamstring tendon from the same knee). Tunnels are drilled in the thighbone and shinbone, and the graft is secured with specialised fixation devices. Any meniscal tears are repaired at the same time.
Structured physiotherapy begins within days of surgery. The rehabilitation protocol is divided into phases with specific goals: regain full range of motion (weeks 1-6), build strength (weeks 6-16), functional training (months 4-6), and sport-specific training (months 6-9). Each phase has clear criteria before progressing.
Return-to-sport clearance is based on functional testing — not just time since surgery. Most athletes return to full competitive sport between 9 and 12 months. Dr. Vishnu Baburaj uses objective criteria including single-leg hop tests and quadriceps strength measurements to decide readiness.
Kannur district has a thriving sports culture — football (sevens and elevens), volleyball, kabaddi, athletics, and martial arts. ACL injuries are common in these high-demand sports. At Aster MIMS Kannur, athletes from across North Kerala and Coorg receive the same standard of arthroscopic surgery and rehabilitation available at major sports medicine centres in metro cities.
Patients from Thalassery, Payyannur, Taliparamba, Kasaragod, Wayanad, and Mangalore regularly visit for ACL surgery.
Common questions about ACL surgery in Kannur.
Book a consultation with Dr. Vishnu Baburaj at Aster MIMS Kannur. Bring your MRI — we will give you an honest assessment and a clear plan.
Aster MIMS Hospital, Chala, Kannur, Kerala 670621 • Helpline: +91-497-353-8000