Dubai: Innovative knee surgery helps resident return to football field

Cosimo Danese, a 44-year-old Italian chef, missed playing his favourite game of football for over three years due to a knee injury he had suffered while playing the sport. In the near future, he will be able to hit the field again, all thanks to the innovative procedure of Ligament Augmentation and Reconstruction Surgery (LARS).

“I had a severe knee injury in January 2020. In an attempt to overcome the setback caused by the accident, I underwent conventional ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) surgery using my tendon as the graft in February 2020. However, I could only walk and not perform any physical tasks, which was daunting for me,” said Cosimo, adding that his health problems affected both his work and personal life.

Unfortunately, this surgical procedure was insufficient, and he was unable to resume playing football. “Everyday chores like climbing stairs and standing for long periods, both of which are required in my work, became intimidating hurdles for me,” said Cosimo.

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"Severe pain and limited knee movement were very challenging for me. These difficulties were made more complex by the presence of elevated cholesterol levels, adding complications to both the diagnosis and treatment processes,” said Cosimo.

Having suffered for the last four years, Cosimo decided to undergo another surgery at Medcare Orthopaedics & Spine Hospital in Dubai. To seek relief from chronic knee pain, he underwent LARS artificial ligament treatment, spearheaded by Dr Massimo Piracci, a specialist orthopedic surgeon.

Artificial ligaments

The surgery repaired the damaged tissues within his knee, introducing an innovative approach to complex orthopaedic challenges. Instead of utilising an allograft, which involves transplanting tissue from another individual, Dr Massimo opted for an artificial ligament. Artificial ligaments are synthetic structures designed to mimic the function of natural ligaments.

“The procedure stands out for its precision-engineered synthetic grafts replicating natural ligaments. These customisable implants, in various materials and designs, cater to individual patient needs, ensuring seamless integration. Restoring joint stability, function, and mobility, this surgery enables a return to restricted activities. Technological advancements enhance these implants, allowing minimally invasive procedures and better long-term outcomes, significantly improving patients' quality of life,” said Dr Massimo.

“Post-treatment, Cosimo now experiences proper sensations in his knee and eagerly anticipates a return to football,” said Dr Massimo.

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