Q: I am 25 years old. In one small accident my left knee was damaged. The doctors advised surgery as there was some damage done to the ligaments. Is this surgery for reconsruction of ligaments necessary? Can proper excercises be a alternative to this surgery? If yes, what is the success rate?

A:I think you have injured your anterior cruciate ligament, because that is the commonest ligament that requires reconstruction. You can do well without undergoing surgery. However the long term results are not good. You can have instability and can damage your knee badly in future. For a young person the best option is to get it reconstructed. For an older person, with limited ambulation and limited functional demands, there is a place for conservative treatment with physiotherapy.