Sports Knee Injuries & Reconstruction

Knee injuries are among the most common orthopaedic issues affecting active individuals, from elite athletes to parents kicking a soccer ball around with their kids on the weekend.

When ligaments or cartilage in the knee are damaged, pain, instability, reduced motion/mobility and long-term joint degeneration can result.

Dr Anthony Keeley, a Sydney-based orthopaedic surgeon with over 15 years of experience, offers advanced surgical care for sports-related knee injuries, including anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction, meniscus surgery including repair, and patellofemoral stabilisation.

Using modern arthroscopic “keyhole” techniques, Dr Keeley is able to treat these conditions with minimal tissue disruption, resulting in faster recovery, reduced pain, and excellent long-term outcomes. His goal is to help each patient return to sport or activity with strength, confidence and joint integrity.

Conditions Treated by Reconstructive Knee Surgery

The ACL is one of the key stabilising ligaments of the knee. It is frequently injured during high-impact or pivoting sports such as AFL, soccer, netball and skiing. ACL tears can lead to significant instability and long-term damage if not addressed.

  • Symptoms: Typically, a weight bearing pivoting injury, often accompanied by a loud pop or crack, rapid swelling, difficulty bearing weight, instability (giving way) during twisting movements
  • Causes: Pivoting or landing awkwardly during sport, direct trauma to the knee, rapid deceleration, hyperextension
  • Risks: Ongoing instability causing further damage, meniscus tears, accelerated cartilage wear (early onset osteoarthritis)
  • Investigations: MRI
  • Treatment Options:
    • Non-operative rehabilitation in select cases
    • Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using graft tissue to restore stability and function
    • Physiotherapy before and after surgery to optimise recovery

Dr Keeley offers modern arthroscopic ACL reconstruction, usually using single tendon hamstring graft, often combined with a lateral extra-articular tenodesis. Dr Keeley utilises anatomically precise graft placement, and dual suspensory “ultrabutton” fixation. These techniques enhance stability, and minimise the risk of graft impingement and re-rupture. Surgical success rates for ACL reconstruction are high, with return to sport usually possible within 9–12 months following comprehensive rehabilitation.

The meniscus is a C-shaped piece of cartilage on each side of the knee that cushions and stabilises the joint, and decreases the pressure on the joint surface, reducing wear. Tears are common in both younger athletes and also older individuals with degenerative joint changes.

  • Symptoms: Often well localised, sharp or catching pain in the knee, swelling, clicking, locking, difficulty squatting or twisting
  • Causes: Twisting injuries during sport, deep knee flexion (ie: squatting), age-related degeneration
  • Risks: Sensation of joint instability, accelerated arthritis, ongoing mechanical symptoms
  • Investigations: MRI
  • Treatment Options:
    • Rest, pain-killers and anti-inflammatory medication, injections for minor tears
    • Arthroscopic meniscus repair or partial meniscectomy for symptomatic tears

Dr Keeley performs minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery to either repair or remove damaged meniscal tissue. Whenever possible, he aims to preserve the meniscus, as it plays a critical role in long-term joint health. Repair is favoured for younger patients or those with tears in the vascular zone of the meniscus, but also where a tear is amenable to repair.

This condition involves improper tracking or dislocation of the patella (kneecap), causing pain, instability, and recurrent dislocations. It is usually seen in individuals with anatomical variations, frequently with a family history of patella dislocation, and commonly presents in teenagers during sporting activities, often then becoming recurrent.

  • Symptoms: Recurrent dislocations; pain at the front of the knee, especially during squatting, stairs, or sitting for long periods; episodes of the knee “giving way”
  • Causes: Anatomical abnormality of the patellofemoral (kneecap) joint, loose ligaments, previous patella dislocation, trauma
  • Risks: Recurrent dislocation, cartilage damage, inability to return to sport
  • Investigations: X-rays, MRI, CT
  • Treatment Options:
    • Physiotherapy to strengthen surrounding muscles and improve patellar tracking
    • Arthroscopic stabilisation procedures: Ligament reconstruction or realignment surgery (osteotomy) in persistent cases

Dr Keeley assesses each case individually to determine the most appropriate surgical strategy, including medial patellofemoral ligament (MPFL) reconstruction or tibial tubercle osteotomy if needed.

Surgical Approaches

Arthroscopic (“Keyhole”) Surgery

Dr Keeley specialises in arthroscopic knee surgery, a minimally invasive technique utilising small incisions, a fibre-optic camera, and fine instruments to visualise and treat internal joint structures. Arthroscopy is ideal for sports knee injuries because it:

  • Minimises damage to surrounding tissue
  • Reduces post-operative pain and swelling
  • Allows for faster recovery and earlier return to activity
  • Provides excellent visualisation for precise surgical work
  • Results in smaller scars and less risk of infection

Whether performing ligament reconstruction, meniscal repair, or cartilage procedures, arthroscopy allows Dr Keeley to deliver highly effective treatment with minimal disruption to the joint.

Dedicated to Clinical Excellence & Patient Care

With extensive training in both public trauma hospitals and private sports-focused practice, Dr Anthony Keeley offers evidence-based care for patients of all activity levels.

His patient-first approach ensures clear communication, treatment tailored to the needs of the individual, and long-term results that restore confidence and activity.

Learn more about Dr Anthony Keeley