As a young and up-and-coming athlete, undergoing ACL surgery in Singapore is the worst thing that could happen to you. Sure, an ACL reconstructive surgery is supposed to mean that you can still play. But the idea of undergoing such lengthy downtimes to recover and train once again scares most athletes.
That's why when I tore my ACL during one of my basketball games, I was beyond scared. At first, my coach reassured me that my injury didn't warrant immediate reconstruction. But it certainly meant that I needed to stay on the bench for a while and recover.
A New Game Plan
After my injury, my parents decided that I should stay at home. And within the first week of my stay, my parents immediately saw how my demeanour had changed. Admittedly, I was sad. I never liked missing training sessions or games. But here I was, at home.
I told them that I missed playing but knew that I wouldn't be able to do so for a while. But they've told me that they've been speaking with my coach, asking what possible treatments could I get so I could return to the court again.
And according to my coach's professional advice, I should get ACL surgery in Singapore. He explained that ACL reconstruction is a recommended treatment for young athletes like me. If I want to continue playing, we should start looking for an orthopaedic doctor from Singapore.
Luckily for us, he knew a clinic in Singapore well known for their orthopaedic surgery!
Why ACL Reconstruction is A Must
After much deliberation in my family, we finally decided that I undergo ACL surgery. We contacted the clinic that my coach suggested, Specialist Orthopaedic Centre.
Immediately, we were able to meet Dr Kannan, a trusted orthopaedic surgery in Singapore. And after assessing my injury, he discussed why ACL surgery is appropriate for young athletes like me.
According to Dr Kannan, ACL reconstructions are suggested when patients like me want to continue playing sports and doing other strenuous activities. Additionally, the persistent pain that I've been feeling since the accident shows that I would certainly benefit from an ACL surgery.
But, he explained, before I even undergo the surgery, I would have to go through several knee examinations. Additionally, he added that we needed to meet their anesthesiologist to discuss the kind of anaesthesia I would have to use during surgery.
My parents were thankful that we found an orthopaedic doctor in Singapore like Dr Kannan, helpful and reliable. He discussed the possible sources of the tendon to be implanted. But according to him, they needed to conduct examinations on me first before finalising where the tendon will come from.
Risk of ACL Surger
And before our first appointment with him ended, he discussed the risks that I would have to face should I go under the knife. Dr Kannan explained that sometimes the pain on the treated knees doesn't necessarily go away immediately.
Additionally, he said that stiffness and weakness are also risks after the surgery. That's why most orthopaedic surgeons in Singapore would tell patients rehabilitation is needed for a full recovery.
Other risks that he said we should prepare for include bleeding and blood clots, infections, and loss of range of motion. Because I'm already in my teenage years, I can safely undergo the procedure. Dr Kannan mentioned that when a patient is a young kid, most cases would have to wait until their bones grow for the surgery to proceed.
Recovery and Rehabilitation
After weeks of conducting knee examinations and several meetings with Dr Kannan and the surgical team of the Specialist Orthopaedic Centre, I was finally ready for surgery.
Admittedly, I was beyond scared. The list of risks that Dr Kannan discussed with us kept replaying in my head. But thankfully, both of my parents took some time off their work to accompany me during the surgery.
A week before the actual procedure, we met with Dr Kannan to discuss my recovery and rehabilitation. He told us that right after surgery, I would be prescribed pain medications. He reminded us that pain is nearly expected after the surgery. Dr Kannan also mentioned that I would have to walk with crutches for up to six weeks and use a knee brace for at least a week.
He reminded me that I wouldn't be able to immediately go back and play after my surgery. Dr Kannan explained that most athletes need six to twelve months to prepare to play again. He reassured me that waiting for half a year is better than not being able to play ever again.
Ultimately, my parents and I were glad that we worked with the Specialist Orthopaedic Centre for my ACL surgery in Singapore. Thanks to them, I'm now on my way to recovery and playing again!
