Bahrain’s Medical Milestone: Groundbreaking Dual‑Knee Procedure Saves Athlete’s Career

Manama: In a landmark achievement for the Kingdom of Bahrain, a complex surgical knee repair procedure was carried out on an athlete at King Hamad University Hospital. According to Brig. Gen. Dr. Sheikh Fahad bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, Commander of the Royal Medical Services, the operation combined a lateral meniscus transplant with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction for an athlete who had endured chronic knee pain for over four years.

The patient, referred by the Bahrain Olympic Committee, suffered from a complete loss of the lateral meniscus due to previous injuries and multiple surgeries. Given his young age and absence of osteoarthritis, the multidisciplinary team identified meniscus transplantation as the optimal solution to preserve the joint and prevent early‑onset arthritis.

Under the leadership of Capt. Dr. Fares Noor Uddin, Consultant in Sports Injuries and Upper Extremity Surgery, the surgery was performed using minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques. Precise anatomical measurements were sent to a US tissue bank to procure a matching donor meniscus, a process that took several months. The combined procedure lasted roughly two and a half hours and was completed successfully.

Col. Dr. Shaikh Salman bin Mohammed Al Khalifa, Commander of King Hamad University Hospital, highlighted that this accomplishment underscores the hospital’s capability to deliver highly specialised sports‑medicine and orthopaedic interventions, backed by national expertise and cutting‑edge technology. He reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to advancing medical research and enhancing patient care.

The athlete is currently recovering well and is expected to resume sports activities following a structured rehabilitation programme. The medical team expressed gratitude for the collaborative efforts that made this pioneering treatment possible, marking a significant step forward for orthopaedic care in Bahrain.