Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) damage is one of the most common types of knee injuries. It makes up around 40% of all sports injuries, which can occur during sports such as skiing, football and rugby.
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What is it for?
For the reconstruction of torn or ruptured ACL
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction consultation at The London Clinic
If the ACL has been ruptured or torn, it can be reconstructed by replacing the ligament with a graft. This will prevent the knee from giving way.
Reconstruction remains gold standard for the treatment of ACL injuries.
The London Clinic also offers high-tech imaging, together with Orthopaedic Consultant Surgeons, and Physiotherapists that are leaders in their field.
They will share their in-depth knowledge and offer the latest knee ligament reconstruction technology.
Surgery for ACL reconstruction is done under general anaesthetic so you are asleep during surgery.
The procedure can take between an hour and an hour and a half and you may spend the night at The London Clinic.
This is an arthroscopic surgery (Keyhole) that means only small incisions will be made.
Your surgeon will make an incision on the front and sides of your knee, before using special surgical instruments to replace the torn ACL with a suitable graft (taken from the patient or a tissue donor).
The top and bottom ends of the replacement ligament are secured with screws or anchors into tunnels drilled in the bone.
Treatment overview
Treatment recovery
Recovery from ACL reconstruction surgery takes around six to seven months. But it can take up to a year before you are able to return to training or sport.
Physiotherapy
During ACL repair, our physiotherapy team is integral to helping you return to your normal level of function and physical activities.
Patients are usually advised a personalised pathway by one of our chartered physiotherapists.
This may include pre-surgery rehabilitation, exercises, aquatic therapy, exercises on a stationary bike and assessment of muscle strength on our Biodex Isokinetic Machine.
Multi-disciplinary specialists at The London Clinic
Patient care is delivered and supported by multi-disciplinary expert teams. These may include consultant surgeons, nursing staff and physiotherapists.Â
Who would benefit from ACL reconstruction?
Reconstruction benefits most people expecting to return to athletic activities in sports such as rugby, tennis and football.
Also recommended for patients whose knee has more than only ACL damage, and if the injury causes pain or affects everyday activities.
The main advantages are that the knees should no longer give way, mobility is restored and your knee will feel stable.
Consultants
We offer Fixed Price Packages
Where possible, we’ll provide a fixed-price package for your hospital care. This covers your hospital stay, nursing, and use of our facilities, giving you a clear guide to what those costs will be.
- Pre-op assessment
- Hospital stay, nursing care and meals
- Tests, scans and physio during your stay
- Take-home medication (up to 5 days)
- Post-op follow-up appointments
- Standard equipment or prosthesis (if needed)
- Unplanned extended stay or ITU (if clinically required)
- Initial consultation and any tests done during it
- Consultant and anaesthetist fees (quoted separately)
- Physio or therapy before or after your stay
- Diagnostics before admission (unless agreed in your plan)
- Specialist medication beyond 5 days
- Ambulance transport or bespoke prosthetics
Your consultant’s fees are quoted separately and shared directly by their office after your consultation. These professional fees cover the time, expertise, and care provided by your consultant before, during, and after your treatment. See our full terms and conditions
Why choose The London Clinic?
Trusted for over 90 years, The London Clinic is an independent charitable hospital that reinvests into care, research, and support for those who can’t easily access private treatment.
The UK’s largest independent hospital
More patients choose The London Clinic than any other.
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Full intensive care on-site
World-class 13-bed ICU for expert support if your care becomes complex.
Investing in clinical excellence
Backed by Northwestern, we equip our teams with cutting-edge medical equipment.
0% Finance Options
We’ve teamed up with Chrysalis to offer you funding options that allow you to spread the cost of your treatment.
If you choose to pay for your treatment at The London Clinic over 12 months, you can make use of a great 0% interest option and pay nothing extra. Or you can choose to pay over two to five years at 14.9% APR.
Trustees of the London Clinic Ltd trading as The London Clinic is an Appointed Representative of Chrysalis Finance Limited, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. The London Clinic is a credit broker, not a lender. The provider of a payment scheme which is not offered through or by Chrysalis Finance Limited may not be so authorised and regulated. Cancer treatments or transplants aren’t covered by finance packages. Finance options are only available for UK patients.