Conditions we see most often

Sports knee problems rarely present as a single diagnosis. Swelling after a twist may be an ACL tear, a bone bruise, a meniscus injury, or a combination. The goal of the first consultation is to match your story, examination, and MRI to a clear plan.

  • ACL tears — including revision reconstruction after failed prior surgery
  • PCL injuries and posterolateral corner instability
  • Multiligament knee injuries (ACL with PCL, MCL, or LCL)
  • Meniscus tears suitable for repair or careful partial trimming
  • Cartilage damage and selected alignment problems where osteotomy may help
  • Instability or pain after previous knee surgery

Treatments & surgical options

Not every ligament injury needs immediate surgery. When the knee remains unstable for your sport or daily life, arthroscopic or open reconstruction is planned around graft choice, associated meniscus work, and any staged multiligament protocol.

  • ACL reconstruction (primary and revision)
  • PCL reconstruction and posterolateral corner repair/reconstruction
  • Combined multiligament reconstruction — often staged for safety
  • Meniscus repair when tissue quality allows; partial meniscectomy when not
  • Knee osteotomy for selected alignment-related pain in active patients
  • Arthroscopic debridement and joint-preserving procedures when appropriate

Surgeries & procedures — knee sports medicine

Dr Ala' Hawa performs consultant-level knee sports surgery and joint-preserving procedures in Amman, aligned with the same scope listed across OSclinic: ligament reconstruction, meniscus surgery, osteotomy, and arthroscopic minimally invasive techniques, with surgical navigation or robot-assisted planning when they add precision for your case.

Ligament surgery

  • ACL reconstruction — primary and revision
  • PCL reconstruction
  • MCL and LCL repair or reconstruction when injured with ACL/PCL
  • Posterolateral corner repair and reconstruction
  • Multiligament knee reconstruction (often staged)

Meniscus & cartilage

  • Meniscus repair (preserving tissue when quality allows)
  • Partial meniscectomy for irreparable tears
  • Chondroplasty and debridement for symptomatic cartilage damage
  • Microfracture or marrow stimulation in selected defects

Osteotomy (realignment surgery)

  • High tibial osteotomy for varus alignment and medial compartment overload
  • Distal femoral osteotomy for selected valgus deformity
  • Osteotomy planning for active patients not ready for replacement

Arthroscopy & minimally invasive knee surgery

  • Diagnostic and therapeutic knee arthroscopy
  • Loose body removal and synovectomy when indicated
  • Arthroscopic-assisted ligament and meniscus procedures
  • Minimally invasive approaches where appropriate

Your pathway: assessment to return to sport

You receive a structured plan — not a one-size-fits-all protocol. Imaging is reviewed with you. Physiotherapy milestones, brace use, and time off work or sport are discussed in plain language (English or Arabic).

Rehabilitation partners with surgery: range of motion, swelling control, strength, and sport-specific testing are tracked before clearance to run, pivot, or compete.

Training behind this subspecialty

Dr Ala' Hawa completed a clinical fellowship in knee sports medicine and joint replacement at Mater Hospital, University of Sydney, and shoulder, sports medicine & joint replacement training at St George Hospital, University of New South Wales — supporting complex knee decision-making in Amman.

Other specialist areas

Common questions

How soon after an ACL tear should I be assessed?

Ideally within the first few weeks while swelling allows a clear examination. Early assessment clarifies whether you need bracing, physiotherapy, or surgery — and whether other ligaments or the meniscus are involved.

What is a multiligament knee injury?

Two or more major knee ligaments tear together — for example ACL with PCL or MCL — often after a high-energy sports injury. These knees need specialist planning; surgery may be staged rather than done in one operation.

Can I return to football or gym after ligament surgery?

Many patients return to sport, but timing depends on graft healing, strength, and sport-specific testing — not a fixed number of weeks alone. Your plan is adjusted to your position, pivoting demands, and prior injuries.

What should I bring to a sports knee appointment?

MRI and X-ray images or reports, sport or work demands, brace/crutch details, prior operation notes, and a medication list.

What is knee osteotomy and when is it used?

Osteotomy realigns the leg to unload a damaged compartment — often the medial knee in younger active patients with arthritis or malalignment who are not ready for total knee replacement. It is planned with X-rays and sometimes long-leg alignment views.

Can a meniscus tear be repaired instead of removed?

Often yes, if the tear pattern and blood supply are favourable — especially in younger patients and when combined with ACL surgery. When repair is not possible, a limited partial meniscectomy removes only unstable tissue.