ACL reconstruction is a type of surgery that fixes a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), which is one of the most important ligaments that keep the knee joint stable. Athletes and active people often hurt their ACLs when they twist, fall or hit their knees directly. If the ACL tears and the knee becomes unstable, surgery may be necessary to restore strength, function and mobility.
People who have unstable knees, knees that often give way or trouble getting back to sports or other physical activities are usually told to have surgery. It is especially important for young, active people, athletes or people who have more than one ligament injury. If you don't treat a torn ACL, it can cause long-term damage to your knee, like cartilage wear and early arthritis.
The damaged ligament is taken out and replaced with a graft from the patient's own body (an autograft) or from a donor (an allograft). Small holes are drilled into the knee bones to hold this graft in place. Most of the time the surgery is done arthroscopically, which means that the cuts are small, the healing is faster and the scars are small. The whole thing usually takes one to two hours.
It takes time to heal after ACL surgery. Most patients go home the same day and start physical therapy within a few days to get their knees moving and strong again. It usually takes 6 to 9 months for someone to fully recover, depending on how active they are and how committed they are to rehab. Most patients can go back to sports and an active life with the right care and therapy.
Our orthopedic team is very good at treating sports injuries and reconstructing ACLs using cutting-edge arthroscopic techniques and high-quality grafts. We focus on precise surgical repair, quick recovery and full rehabilitation. We help you regain your confidence and movement at every step, from the first consultation to the advice on how to get back to playing.
ACL Reconstruction: $4500