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Sports injuries: ACL and rotator cuff arthroscopy
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Sports injuries: ACL and rotator cuff arthroscopy

Anatomic reconstruction and over 90% return to previous level with physiotherapy.

medviajes editorial team1 min read

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture and rotator cuff tears share a pattern: without repair, the joint loses stability or strength and damage progresses towards meniscal injury or arthropathy. Surgery aims to restore anatomy, not merely relieve pain.

These procedures are done arthroscopically, through portals of a few millimetres that minimise soft tissue damage. In the ACL, the ligament is reconstructed with a graft (hamstring, patellar or quadriceps tendon) fixed in bone tunnels; in the shoulder, the tendon is re-anchored to the humerus with anchors in single or double-row configuration.

With strict physiotherapy, more than 90% of patients regain their previous activity level, but the timeline is long: six to nine months to return to pivoting sports after ACL surgery and four to six months after cuff repair. Complications include graft failure from resuming sport too early and persistent joint stiffness, such as adhesive capsulitis in the shoulder. Travelling without a rehabilitation plan at home is the most common mistake.

Poland and Mexico have very active sports medicine centres serving professional and recreational athletes. Thailand adds intensive rehabilitation centres in tropical settings that accelerate functional return. The range is EUR 3,500 to 7,000, with seven to ten day stays.

At medviajes we compare accredited clinics, define the physiotherapy plan before surgery and organise travel and reviews. Consult a qualified sports orthopaedic surgeon before choosing the graft type.

Editorial standards

General information, sources and clear limitations. No guide replaces a medical assessment.

This content is informational and does not replace advice from a healthcare professional. Always consult your doctor before making decisions about your health.

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