ACL Care
Expert diagnosis and arthroscopic reconstruction for ACL tears. Learn causes, symptoms, treatment, recovery.
An ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) injury is one of the most common knee ligament injuries, especially among athletes and active individuals. The ACL plays a crucial role in maintaining knee stability during movement, pivoting, jumping, and sudden direction changes. When the ligament tears, it can lead to pain, swelling, instability, and difficulty walking or playing sports.
Our clinic offers comprehensive ACL care in Bengaluru, including accurate diagnosis, non-surgical treatment, rehabilitation guidance, and advanced arthroscopic ACL reconstruction when required. Every treatment plan is customized based on age, lifestyle, activity level, and recovery goals.
Common Conditions or Symptoms Treated
Acute ACL Tear
Typically from a sudden twist or hyperextension of the knee during activities like soccer, basketball, or skiing. Patients often hear or feel a loud “pop” and have rapid swelling. They may initially walk, but experience instability (knee “gives out”).
Chronic ACL Injury
Sometimes patients limp or complain of repeated “giving way” after an old tear. Chronic instability can damage cartilage and menisci over time.
Associated Injuries
ACL tears often come with other knee injuries (meniscus tears, MCL/PCL injuries). If X-rays/MRI show a broken bone or torn cartilage, we address those too.
ACL Sprain (Partial Tear)
Mild stretching (grade 1–2 sprains) causes pain and some looseness; severe (grade 3) is a complete tear.
In short, we treat any knee injury involving knee instability, especially ACL ruptures from sports, auto accidents, or falls. Symptoms include intense pain, rapid swelling, loss of motion, and a sensation of the knee “giving out.”
Treatment Approach / Procedures Offered
Non-Surgical Management
For low-grade partial tears or less active patients, initial treatment follows the RICE protocol. We recommend Rest (avoid stress), Ice (to reduce swelling), Compression (brace or wrap), and Elevation. Patients use crutches and a knee brace as needed, and begin physical therapy early to restore motion and strength. However, an ACL cannot fully heal on its own, and unstable knees risk further injuries and arthritis. Non-op treatment alone generally suits older, less active individuals, but research shows better long-term outcomes with surgery for most active patients.
Surgical Management (Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction)
Surgery is indicated for athletes or active patients whose ACL tears cause instability. We perform arthroscopic reconstruction – a minimally invasive procedure. The torn ACL is replaced with a graft (patient’s own tendon or a donor tendon) that is fixed with screws or buttons. If the tear is suitable, we may repair the ligament back to bone. Dr. Sunku and his team customize the graft choice (patellar tendon, hamstring tendon, or allograft) and technique based on patient factors. Throughout surgery, we look for and address any meniscus or cartilage injuries.
Post-Op Care
After reconstruction, patients wear a knee brace and begin rehabilitation under guidance. Dr. Sunku’s team provides a detailed rehab plan (see Recovery section).
Why Choose Our Clinic
Dr. Sunku’s ACL care stands out for sports-medicine expertise and personalized care. He has specialized fellowship training and experience as a professional team doctor, bringing precision to ACL reconstruction. We use the latest arthroscopic techniques and tailor treatment to each patient’s goals – whether you’re an athlete aiming to return to high-level play or someone wanting to walk comfortably. We emphasize safety and function: patient goals drive whether we recommend surgery or not. Our clinic coordinates with physiotherapists to ensure a smooth rehabilitation. No unproven claims are made; we follow evidence-based guidelines (e.g., AAOS). Unlike generic centers, we highlight our fellowship/athlete-doctor credentials and patient-first approach.
Recovery and Rehabilitation Overview
Days 0–2
Begin walking with crutches and a knee brace. Elevation and icing continue to control swelling.
Week 1–6
Focus on regaining full knee extension and strengthening quadriceps. Range-of-motion and light strengthening exercises under guidance. By 2 weeks, many walk with one crutch.
Months 2–6
Progress from walking/jogging to agility drills. Swimming and cycling often begin around 2–3 months post-op.
Months 6–9
Gradual return to sports-specific training. Most achieve full recovery in this timeframe (Cleveland Clinic notes recovery takes 6–9 months).
9–12 Months
Competitive sports (cutting, pivoting) often resume with the surgeon's clearance.
Each patient’s rehab is individualized. We monitor progress and adjust therapy. Early motion and strengthening aim to prevent stiffness. We set realistic expectations: while pain is controlled with modern anesthesia, full recovery and confidence often require the full 6–9 months.
Where we see ACL Care Patients
Raghava Multispeciality
Centred at Attibele, on Sarjapura–Attibele Road. Ideal for people in Anekal, Chandapura, Jigani, Bommasandra, and Electronic City.
In-person ReviewsHealth Nest Hospital
HSR Layout (24th Main, Sector 2). Convenient for HSR, Koramangala, BTM Layout, and Bellandur residents.
Follow-up VisitsACL Care FAQ
Book ACL Consultation in Bengaluru
Early diagnosis can prevent long-term damage. Consult Dr. Nitin N Sunku, experienced orthopedic specialist, for arthroscopic surgery and recovery guidance.
Book ConsultationBook an Appointment
Get expert advice for ACL Care today.
Locations
- • Raghava Multispeciality, Attibele
- • Health Nest Hospital, HSR Layout
Orthopedic and sports medicine care in Bengaluru
Dr. Nitin N Sunku is a consultant orthopedic surgeon and sports medicine specialist. His day-to-day work spans knee and shoulder arthroscopy, ACL and other ligament injuries, meniscus tears, cartilage-friendly repair options when suitable, hip and knee arthritis assessment, joint replacement when quality of life is clearly limited, fracture and trauma review, and spine symptom evaluation with a staged plan. Care is built around a clear history, a focused examination, imaging only when it changes management, and honest discussion of non-operative versus operative paths.
Where appointments take place
The practice is anchored at Raghava Multispeciality Hospital, Attibele, on Sarjapura–Attibele Road, for many patients travelling from Attibele, Anekal, Chandapura, Jigani, Bommasandra, Electronic City, Sarjapura, and nearby towns who want a South Bengaluru base close to home or work. Health Nest Hospital, HSR Layout (24th Main Road, Sector 2) supports selected consultations and follow-up for people who live closer to HSR, Koramangala, BTM Layout, Bellandur, or Whitefield-side commutes. Both sites link into imaging and physiotherapy networks when referrals are needed.
Conditions and procedures people commonly ask about
Typical questions cover ACL tears and post-injury instability, meniscus repair versus partial trimming, recurrent shoulder dislocation, rotator cuff tears and frozen shoulder, shoulder arthroscopy for impingement, tennis or golfer's elbow flare-ups, runner's knee and shin splints, Achilles and other tendon overuse problems, early to advanced hip and knee arthritis, partial and total knee replacement timing, hip replacement for arthritis and selected fractures, acute collarbone and ankle fractures, workplace and road traffic injuries, and back pain with or without leg symptoms when urgent red flags have been excluded. Sports medicine visits often blend training-load advice with targeted rehabilitation goals rather than rushing to surgery.
Before you attend
Bring photo ID, insurance cards if applicable, a concise list of medicines and allergies, old MRI or X-ray reports on phone or paper, and footwear or clothing that lets the knee or shoulder be examined. Write down three goals—for example, "sleep without waking from knee pain," "jog five kilometres without swelling," or "lift my child safely." Those goals help prioritise whether bracing, injections, structured physiotherapy, arthroscopy, or joint replacement is discussed first.
Using this website responsibly
Articles under the blog section explain common symptoms and treatment concepts in plain language. They are educational, may simplify complex decisions, and should always be confirmed in clinic after examination and, when needed, imaging. If you have severe deformity after injury, numbness or weakness in a limb, high fever with a hot swollen joint, chest pain, shortness of breath, or new bladder or bowel dysfunction with back pain, seek emergency care immediately rather than waiting for an outpatient slot.
You may book through the contact page, call the numbers in the footer, browse services and the gallery for facility context, or read testimonials to understand how recovery plans are communicated. For machine-readable orientation aimed at language models, this site publishes llms.txt.