Minimally Invasive ACL Reconstruction: Volleyball Star Returns to the Court

A female college senior in Taichung, a member of her university’s volleyball team, experienced a devastating injury during a match in May last year. After jumping to spike the ball and landing on one leg, she felt intense pain in her knee and collapsed to the ground. It was later confirmed that she had torn the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in her left knee.The ACL plays a crucial role in stabilizing the knee and controlling lower leg movement.Doctors performed a minimally invasive arthroscopic reconstruction, creating only a few small incisions.With subsequent rehabilitation, recovery typically takes about a year, after which patients can return to sports activities.Patient Testimonial – Ms. Tsai Jia-Ni:"When I landed on my left leg, it was slightly inward-turned. At that moment, the ligament snapped, and the pain was so severe that I couldn’t get up."The injury occurred during a spike, resulting in a torn ACL in her left knee.Dr. Hsieh Shang-Lin, Taichung Tzu Chi Minimally Invasive Spine and Joint Center:"During a landing, the combined motion of valgus (outward bending) and rotation can cause the ligament to stretch and tear."The ACL's primary function is to protect the knee from excessive forward movement of the shinbone and maintain stability during twisting motions.Athletes involved in high-impact sports, such as soccer, basketball, and volleyball, are most prone to ACL injuries. For Ms. Tsai, the injury was a significant setback.Patient Testimonial – Ms. Tsai Jia-Ni:"It was really devastating."Dr. Hsieh Shang-Lin:"The entire ligament structure was destroyed and no longer visible. We harvest a tendon from the patient’s hamstring (on the same leg) and shape it into a new ligament. Using minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery, the new ligament is fixed in place within drilled tunnels in the thighbone and shinbone."Five months post-surgery, Ms. Tsai has shown continuous improvement and is now able to engage in light-intensity exercise. However, for athletes aiming to return to competitive sports, professional rehabilitation is essential.Physical Therapist – Ms. Chien Hua-Hsuan:"The first priority is core muscle stability. Even when performing the same movement, the way we guide the patient can lead to vastly different outcomes."At Taichung Tzu Chi Hospital’s functional fitness center, a collaborative approach involving physicians, physical therapists, and fitness coaches creates personalized rehabilitation programs to accelerate recovery.