Sven Putnis specialises in the management of complex sports knee injuries in Bristol, including multi-ligament reconstructions and safe return-to-sport protocols.
High-energy trauma sustained during athletic activities—such as rugby, skiing, or football—can result in devastating damage to the knee joint. These complex sports injuries typically involve multiple torn ligaments (such as combined ACL, PCL, MCL, or LCL ruptures), meniscal damage, and occasionally associated fractures. The management of a multi-ligament knee injury (MLKI) is significantly more intricate than treating a single torn ligament. Sven Putnis is a fellowship-trained soft-tissue knee specialist and provides expert, evidence-based care tailored to the specific demands of each athlete. Combined ligament reconstructions are performed alongside complex meniscus repairs in the same procedure. The aim is always to restore stability, function, and facilitate a safe return to sport.
High-energy trauma sustained during athletic activities—such as rugby, skiing, or football—can result in devastating damage to the knee joint. These complex sports injuries typically involve multiple torn ligaments (such as combined ACL, PCL, MCL, or LCL ruptures), meniscal damage, and occasionally associated fractures. The management of a multi-ligament knee injury (MLKI) is significantly more intricate than treating a single torn ligament. Sven Putnis provides expert, evidence-based care tailored to the specific demands of each athlete, aiming to restore stability, function, and facilitate a safe return to sport.
Who Is This For?
A multi-ligament knee injury occurs when two or more of the major ligaments in the knee (such as the ACL, PCL, MCL, or LCL) are torn simultaneously. This is a severe injury that significantly compromises the stability of the joint and usually requires complex surgical intervention.
Recovery from a multi-ligament knee injury is a lengthy process. While basic daily activities may be comfortable within a few months, a full return to competitive sports typically requires 9 to 12 months, and sometimes up to 18 months, of dedicated, intensive physiotherapy.
The aim is to perform all reconstructions during the same operation. Occasionally a staged approach can be required but with modern techniques and surgical efficiency this is becoming less likely.
Returning to sport is possible, but it is not guaranteed. Clinical studies show that while many athletes return to some level of activity, only about 55% return to their pre-injury level of competitive play 6. Success depends heavily on the severity of the initial injury, the surgical outcome, and strict adherence to the rehabilitation protocol.
A hinged knee brace is fitted immediately following a complex injury or surgery. It protects the healing ligaments by restricting abnormal side-to-side or rotational movements while still allowing the knee to bend and straighten safely within a controlled range. It is quite common for some injuries to heal within the brace as part of the optimisation for surgery
Recovery Time
9–12+ months (for full return to competitive sport)
Return to Sport Rate
~81% return to some activity, ~55% to pre-injury level
Book a consultation to discuss if this treatment is right for you.
Book your consultation today and begin your journey to recovery with expert knee care in Bristol.
