Rishabh Pant suffers severe injury on the same leg that was operated on: Can it have serious consequences?

Cricketer Rishabh Pant 's injury has been a shock to his fans and followers. The 27 year old wicketkeeper sustained a knee injury in the Bengaluru test and left the field after getting struck on his knee during day two of India's first Test against New Zealand.

The concern is, Pant's injury is on the knee cap of the same leg for which he underwent surgery recently due to a life threatening accident.

Updating on Pant's health, India captain Rohit Sharma told the media: "Unfortunately, the knee. The ball went and hit straight on his knee cap, the leg which he had surgery on. So, he has got a little bit of swelling on it. The muscles are a bit tender at this point of time. It's a precautionary measure."

Can this injury have serious consequences?
"Due to his serious injury on the same leg as his prior surgery, Rishabh Pant's healing may take longer than expected. Increased discomfort, inflammation, and a lengthier recovery period could result from it. His return to optimal physical condition may be delayed if he experiences further strain on his knee cap, which could impair his strength and mobility," said Dr. Akhilesh Yadav, Associate Director- Orthopaedics and Joint Replacement, Max Hospital Vaishali.

"If the injury results in consequences such as ligament damage, fractures, or instability of the joint, it may become more serious. It could also affect Pant's mobility and athletic ability, delay rehabilitation, and increase the chance of re-injury," he added.

The expert also said that the recovery time might take a while. "The amount of time needed for recovery depends on how serious the damage is; it may take weeks or months. Minor injuries may heal in 6 to 8 weeks with the right care and treatment, while more serious events may require several months or more to fully recover," Dr. Yadav said.