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ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) Reconstruction

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the important ligaments that stabilise your knee. If you have torn (ruptured) this ligament, your knee can collapse or ‘give way’ when making twisting or turning movements.

An ACL rupture happens as a result of a twisting injury to your knee. The common causes are contact sports and skiing injuries. You can injure other parts of your knee at the same time such as tearing a cartilage (meniscus) or damaging the joint surface.

What are the benefits of surgery?

Are there any alternatives to surgery?

What does the operation involve?

Various anaesthetic techniques are possible.

The operation usually takes an hour to 90 minutes.

Your surgeon will make one or more cuts around your knee. Most surgeons perform the operation by an arthroscopy (keyhole surgery), using a camera to see inside your knee.

Your surgeon will replace the ACL with a piece of suitable tissue (a graft) from another area of your body.

The top and bottom ends of the replacement ligament are fixed with special screws or anchors into holes drilled in the bone.

How soon will I recover?

You should be able to go home the same day or the day after.

Your surgeon may want you to wear a knee brace for a few weeks. Once your knee is settling down you will need to start intensive physiotherapy treatment.

Regular exercise should help you to return to normal activities as soon as possible. Before you start exercising, ask the healthcare team or your GP for advice.

Most people make a good recovery after an ACL reconstruction but this takes hard work.

It is unlikely that your knee will ever be as good as it was before the original injury.

What complications can happen?

Some complications can be serious and even cause death.

General complications of any operation

Pain
Bleeding
Infection of the surgical site (wound)
Unsightly scarring of your skin
Blood clot in your leg
Blood clot in your lung
Difficulty passing urine

Specific complications of this operation

Break of your kneecap
Damage to nerves around your knee
Infection in your knee
Discomfort in the front of your knee
Loss of knee movement
Your knee keeps giving way
Severe pain, stiffness and loss of use of your knee

Paying for your own treatment?

Pricing*

Inclusive prices start from: £8659

*The prices shown are minimum guide prices only. Diagnostic scans and investigations are not included unless otherwise stated. The exact cost of treatment will be made clear to you before you proceed.

Consultants who provide this treatment

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