To operate or not to operate? A doctor’s view on Mbappé’s knee injury

The injury to Kylian Mbappé has given the media plenty to talk and write about. The Real Madrid striker’s left‑knee issue dates back to December 7, when he first began experiencing pain in the outer compartment of the knee.

Mbappé’s knee injury less clear-cut than others

When an injury is located in the inner compartment - meaning the medial meniscus or the medial collateral ligament - the symptoms are usually more evident, and the clinical examination is far more conclusive. These injuries also tend to be more limiting, often requiring four to six weeks away from full athletic activity, even in the best‑case scenarios.

By contrast, when the injury stems from the outer compartment - whether the lateral meniscus, the lateral collateral ligament, or even the presence of a loose body in the joint - the pain and functional limitations are typically much milder. With relative rest and proper medical treatment, a player can often return to the field within a couple of weeks.

Mbappé may be left with no other option than surgery

In Mbappé’s case, I personally believe that the pain and the sensation of instability he’s experiencing prevent him from playing his game. It’s not that the pain is severe or that his knee is swelling - it’s simply that the discomfort keeps him from training and playing the way he normally does. This creates both a physical and psychological problem, and as a result, his performance is unlikely to be at its best.

Injections and hyaluronic acid often provide temporary relief, allowing an athlete to compete at a normal level. And if the discomfort persists, arthroscopic surgery at the end of the season is an option.

However, in Mbappé’s situation, if he continues to feel uneasy in training and the media pressure keeps building, he may have no choice but to undergo arthroscopy sooner rather than later.

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