Can you still play football with torn ligaments in both knees?

Despite ligament injuries in both knees, Tran Dinh Ky was still able to return to the field and is "giving his all" in the final round of the 2025 Vietnam Workers' and Civil Servants' Football Tournament.

Tran Dinh Ky (yellow shirt) is "burning himself out" on the field at the 2025 Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament - Photo: QUANG DINH

At the final round of the Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament 2025 in Ho Chi Minh City, few people knew that player Tran Dinh Ky (33 years old) of the Ho Chi Minh City Trade Union 2 team was playing with two knees that had undergone major surgery. He had faced a player's nightmare: torn posterior cruciate ligaments in both legs.

Twice torn ligament but still not give up passion

The first time Mr. Ky suffered a serious injury was in 2009 with his left knee. 11 years later in 2020, bad luck struck again, this time with his right leg. "I had ligament surgery on both legs before. One leg in 2009, one leg in 2020," Mr. Ky calmly recounted.

For many people, just one injury like that is enough to make them retire from the field. But for Mr. Ky, the passion seems to be greater than the pain. He shared about the arduous recovery process: "After surgery on each leg, I rested for about 7-8 months before starting to play lightly again. It took more than a year before I dared to play full-time."

As a mere amateur footballer, what was the motivation that helped him get through two surgeries and a year of painful physical therapy?

"In general, when it hurts, it hurts. But when it starts to heal and the pain stops, I start to feel addicted again, and I start to kick the ball again," he confided.

It was the "addictive" feeling of running on the field and living in the football atmosphere that motivated him to constantly strive.

Mr. Ky also emphasized that surgery is just the beginning. "Surgery is only 50%, the other 50% is through physical therapy," he affirmed.

According to Mr. Ky, the process of self-rehabilitation is the deciding factor in whether or not he can return to playing at the top level. Thanks to that perseverance, he has not only returned to the field but also become an active player, having played for famous amateur teams in Ho Chi Minh City.

Family support is also a great spiritual support. "Luckily, my wife is also passionate and supports my passion. Playing sports helps me give up other more harmful things, so my wife also supports me," he happily said.

Expert perspective

To better understand this recovery ability, Tuoi Tre Online had an interview with specialist doctor I Bui Chi Khang, Department of Sports Medicine, Military Hospital 175 - Accompanying unit of the 2025 Vietnam Workers and Civil Servants Football Tournament.

Mr. Ky had his knee checked by Dr. Bui Chi Khang - Military Hospital 175 after the match - Photo: TRI DUC

Doctor Khang commented that the case of a person with torn ligaments in both knees being able to return to competition is not common and requires great effort and perseverance in training.

According to Dr. Khang, to be able to do like Mr. Ky, the following factors must be met:

Quality of surgery : “The surgery has to be really good,” Dr. Khang emphasized. This includes accurately reconstructing and replacing new ligaments and thoroughly treating associated injuries such as meniscus.

Strict rehabilitation process : This is the key factor, completely coincident with what Mr. Ky shared. "Patients must practice very strictly and persistently to be able to kick like now," said Dr. Khang. Absolute compliance with the training regimen helps the muscles around the knee to be strong, compensate and protect the new ligament.

Relapse prevention strategy: Once you're back, protecting your feet is even more important. "Warm up well. Avoid contact or potentially dangerous situations during play. With a knee that has been operated on, the risk of re-injury is very high if you injure it again."

Dr. Bui Chi Khang also answered Mr. Ky's question about the "crackling" sound in the knee joint after surgery. He explained: "For a knee that has been operated on, it will easily degenerate. So the crackling sound in the knee is a normal condition, we will not need to handle it."

The 2025 Vietnam Workers' and Civil Servants' Football Tournament is jointly organized by Tuoi Tre Newspaper, Vietnam General Confederation of Labor , and Vietnam Football Federation for the third consecutive year.

Entering the 2025 season, the tournament has affirmed its position as an annual, prestigious playground for workers, civil servants, and laborers across the country; contributing to promoting the movement of physical exercise and sports, improving the cultural and spiritual life of workers, civil servants, and laborers in particular and the whole society in general.

This year's tournament is honored to receive the support of Truong Hai Group Joint Stock Company (THACO), Dong Luc Sports Group, HTP Pharmaceutical Investment Joint Stock Company, Hoa Sen Group Joint Stock Company, Sunshine Group, Saigon Water Corporation (SAWACO), Fashion Connection Joint Stock Company (Faslink), 108 Central Military Hospital, 175 Military Hospital and a number of enterprises.

The final round of the Vietnam Workers' and Civil Servants' Football Tournament 2025 took place from October 31 to November 2 in Ho Chi Minh City, with the participation of 16 teams that had successfully passed the qualifying round.

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THANH DINH

Source: https://tuoitre.vn/dut-day-chang-ca-hai-dau-goi-van-tro-lai-da-bong-duoc-20251101113444875.htm