ABU DHABI (ALETIHAD)

Doctors at Madinat Zayed Hospital (MZH), a SEHA facility, carried out a challenging and rare orthopaedic surgery to help a 16-year-old patient recover from a serious knee injury that had dramatically affected his quality of life.

SEHA, a subsidiary of PureHealth, the largest healthcare group in the Middle East, has called the procedure a significant medical success.

The young patient presented to MZH with severe instability and pain in his right knee, following a twisting injury sustained while playing basketball.

After a thorough examination under general anaesthesia, the patient was diagnosed with an isolated posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) tear in his right knee, which was later confirmed through an MRI scan. 

The PCL connects the thighbone o the shinbone, and PCL tears are much less frequent than anterior cruciate ligament tears, accounting for only around three per cent of athletic knee injuries. PCL tears are even rarer in children.

The patient was unable to participate his favourite basketball sports since his injury, and was feeling insecure with instability of his knee brought about by the injury. 

Dr. Fadi Bassam, Consultant Physician – Surgery reported that “the complexity of this case required the collaboration of a multidisciplinary team, consisting of anaesthesia, vascular surgery, orthopaedics, and physiotherapy”. 

The surgical orthopaedic team performed an isolated PCL reconstruction, a procedure that is rarely executed and typically only performed in advanced tertiary centres.

The patient was able to stand fully two days after the surgery and was directed to a physiotherapy rehabilitation program to improve the range of motion strengthen muscles. Following a dramatic improvement in the knee stability and muscle strength, he had been advised to return back to his sports participation after six months of the PCL reconstruction.

Dr. Basel Masoud, Consultant Physician at Madinat Zayed Hospital, said: “Madinat Zayed Hospital is committed to delivering state-of-the-art healthcare services across multiple specialities, including our advanced orthopaedic department. Our team is well-equipped to handle complex cases like shoulder and knee reconstructions, ensuring that patients receive the best possible care.

"This year alone, we have seen a 300% increase in shoulder and knee reconstruction surgeries compared to 2023, underscoring our expertise and the trust patients place in our services.” 

"Over the past eight months, our team has successfully performed two multi-ligamentous arthroscopic knee reconstructions, which included ACL, PCL, LCL, and posterolateral corner repairs following knee dislocations. One of these cases also involved the repair of a fractured lateral tibial plateau, showcasing our ability to manage even the most challenging cases, including those involving young patients," the doctor added.

Part of SEHA’s network, Madinat Zayed Hospital, offers comprehensive range of services designed to meet the highest standards of patient care. As one of the region’s leading healthcare providers, SEHA’s team comprises some of the top doctors, experts, and healthcare professionals working closely across disciplines to ensure excellent patient outcomes.