From Canada to Vietnam for ligament reconstruction surgery

Mr. Nam, 45 years old, who suffered from an anterior cruciate ligament tear, meniscus tear, and knee instability, traveled to Vietnam and chose Sante Hospital as a trusted facility for autologous ligament reconstruction surgery.

Mr. Nam, a Canadian national, sustained an athletic injury that resulted in significant right knee swelling and effusion, notably aggravated during sports activities and when negotiating stairs. Comprehensive evaluation confirmed a complete tear of the right anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) alongside a concomitant meniscus tear.

Given Mr. Nam's circumstances, with easy access to and the choice of medical services anywhere from developed countries worldwide to the decision to place his trust in Sante Hospital, this implicitly confirms the professional service quality at Sante Hospital and, furthermore, the widespread “reputation” of Dr. Tang Ha Nam Anh quickly replaced any hesitations.

Following clinical examination, Dr. Tang Ha Nam Anh, MD, PhD, Department of Orthopedics, Sante Hospital, stated that the optimal treatment modality is anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction using an autologous graft (harvested from the pes anserinus tendon) to repair the damage and restore knee joint motor function.

When asked about his reason for choosing Sante Hospital for treatment all the way from Canada, Mr. Nam shared: “ I thoroughly researched the services here through my relatives; from the doctors' expertise to the care procedures, everything received very positive feedback because my relative had joint replacement surgery at Sante Hospital. Especially Dr. Tang Ha Nam Anh, whose reputation I have known for a long time, so I will feel more reassured if treated at Sante Hospital.”

The surgery was performed using the all-inside technique. This minimally invasive intervention helps limit the risk of bleeding, minimizes soft tissue trauma, and shortens recovery time. The surgeon used an adjustable titanium cortical fixation device combined with ultra-high-strength suture tape to reinforce the graft. The torn meniscus causing joint locking was reshaped. In addition to the anterior cruciate ligament, the anterolateral ligament was also reconstructed using an iliotibial band tenodesis to enhance knee joint stability.

On the first postoperative day, the patient initiated physical therapy protected by a locked knee brace. Depending on the distance, the patient could ambulate independently or use 1 crutch for support. The patient was also able to perform personal activities of daily living independently. Throughout rehabilitation and postoperative recovery, the patient experienced no knee pain or swelling, and notably, joint proprioception felt completely natural as it did prior to the injury. After 2 days, Mr. Nam was able to ambulate and was discharged.

Dr. Tang Ha Nam Anh advised that ligament rupture is a very common injury among athletes and sports enthusiasts. Delayed treatment can lead to numerous complications such as persistent pain and knee joint laxity; among these, accelerated early osteoarthritis is the most severe, significantly impacting the patient's mobility. Therefore, patients should seek early medical evaluation for timely treatment.

Nowadays, the trend of traveling abroad for surgery and treatment of complex diseases has gradually declined compared to the past. This is because domestic medical service quality, specifically at Sante Hospital, meets most standards for high clinical efficacy and consistently earns the appreciation and trust of patients.