Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) repair in Europe

What Is ACL Repair Surgery?

ACL repair surgery is a procedure used to preserve and reattach your natural anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) after it has been torn. Unlike ACL reconstruction surgery, which replaces the damaged ligament with a tendon graft taken from elsewhere in the body or a donor, ACL repair focuses on restoring the original ligament tissue.

The ACL is one of the main stabilising ligaments inside the knee. It controls the rotation and forward movement of the lower leg, and when it tears, the knee can feel unstable and give way during everyday movement or sport.

ACL repair is only suitable for certain types of tear, specifically those where the ligament tissue remains healthy enough to heal and where the tear is located close to where the ligament attaches to the bone. During the procedure, the surgeon reattaches the torn ligament to the bone using specialised fixation techniques. Because the original ligament is preserved rather than replaced, recovery can sometimes be faster than after ACL reconstruction.

Not all ACL tears are suitable for repair. Your specialist will assess your injury, typically using MRI imaging and clinical examination, to determine whether repair or reconstruction is the more appropriate treatment for your specific tear.

Through My Medical Gateway, ACL repair surgery is available at accredited hospitals in Lithuania, Malta, Romania and Spain, with packages starting from £3,661.

Am I a candidate for ACL repair surgery?

ACL repair surgery is most commonly suitable for patients who:

• Have a recent ACL tear where the ligament tissue is still healthy and repairable
• Have a tear located near where the ligament attaches to the bone, rather than a mid-substance tear
• Are experiencing knee instability or giving-way episodes
• Are often younger or active patients, though suitability depends mainly on the tear pattern and tissue quality rather than age alone

ACL repair is not suitable for all tears. If your tear is not in the right location, or if the ligament tissue is not of sufficient quality to heal, ACL reconstruction surgery may be recommended instead.

Your My Medical Gateway-partnered specialist will carry out a thorough assessment, including review of MRI imaging, before any treatment is confirmed. You will not proceed to surgery without a formal consultation and your fully informed consent.

NHS waiting times for ACL repair surgery

NHS waiting times for ACL surgery vary significantly by region and Trust, but many patients face waits of 40 to 60 weeks or more. For patients experiencing knee instability, a prolonged wait carries a risk of further damage to the knee as the unstable joint can accumulate additional injury to the cartilage and meniscus.

For patients who cannot wait, My Medical Gateway offers access to accredited European hospitals with ACL surgery packages starting from £3,661.

What is included in a My Medical Gateway Treatment Package?

Treatment Packages typically include:

• Pre-operative assessment and consultations with your specialist
• The surgical procedure, including all fixation equipment and surgical materials
• Hospital accommodation for the duration of your stay, often day surgery or a one-night stay
• Nursing care and initial in-hospital guidance on post-operative movement
• Post-operative follow-up with your surgical team.

Flights and accommodation in the destination country are not included. Your hospitals MMG coordinator can advise on travel planning.

Accredited Hospitals for ACL repair surgery

ACL repair surgery is available at 7 My Medical Gateway Accredited Hospitals across Europe.

Prices shown are for the Treatment Package only, excluding flights and accommodation.

Pricing and payment

ACL repair surgery through My Medical Gateway starts from £3,661. 

Recovery timeline

Recovery from ACL repair is often faster than ACL reconstruction because the original ligament is preserved rather than replaced. As a general guide:

• Hospital stay: often day surgery or one night
• Early recovery: weight-bearing may begin immediately or shortly after surgery, often with crutches or a brace
• Rehabilitation: physiotherapy typically begins within days to restore movement and reduce swelling
• Return to daily activities: often within 4 to 6 weeks depending on recovery progress
• Return to sport: commonly around 6 to 9 months depending on healing, strength and knee stability

Your surgical team will provide a personalised rehabilitation programme before you leave hospital. My Medical Gateway will support you in arranging physiotherapy and follow-up care once you are back in the UK.

Recovery times may vary with each provider.

Benefits of ACL repair surgery

For patients whose tear is suitable, ACL repair offers several advantages over reconstruction:

• Preserves the patient's natural ACL tissue, avoiding the need for a tendon graft
• Potentially shorter recovery and rehabilitation compared with ACL reconstruction
• Restores knee stability and function using the body's own ligament
• May reduce pain or complications associated with graft harvesting, as no donor site is involved
• Suitable for specific tear patterns where the original tissue is intact and repairable.

Risks and considerations

As with any surgical procedure, ACL repair carries risks that your surgeon will discuss with you before proceeding. These include:

• Surgical risks including infection, bleeding, blood clots or nerve injury
• Failure of the repaired ligament to heal properly
• Persistent instability or re-tear of the repaired ligament
• Knee stiffness or reduced range of movement
• Ongoing pain or swelling

Your specialist orthopaedic surgeon will assess your individual risk profile during your consultation and will ensure you can give fully informed consent before any treatment takes place. This page provides a general overview only.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between ACL repair and ACL reconstruction?

ACL repair preserves and reattaches the original torn ligament, using the body's own tissue. ACL reconstruction removes the damaged ligament and replaces it with a tendon graft taken from elsewhere in the body or from a donor. Repair is suitable only for certain types of tear, specifically where the tear is near the bone attachment and the ligament tissue is healthy enough to heal. Where repair is not possible, reconstruction is the standard treatment. My Medical Gateway offers both procedures at selected partner hospitals.

How do I know if my ACL tear is suitable for repair?

Suitability for ACL repair depends primarily on the location of the tear and the condition of the ligament tissue. Repair is most appropriate where the tear has occurred near the bone attachment rather than in the middle of the ligament, and where the tissue is still of sufficient quality to heal. An MRI scan and clinical assessment by a specialist orthopaedic surgeon are required to determine which procedure is right for you. My Medical Gateway will arrange a pre-operative consultation with a specialist before any treatment is confirmed.

Is ACL repair recovery faster than reconstruction?

For suitable patients, ACL repair can involve a faster return to activity. Return to sport is commonly around 6 to 9 months after repair, compared with 9 to 12 months after reconstruction. This is because the original ligament is preserved and the body does not need to wait for a new graft to integrate. However, individual recovery depends on many factors including healing progress, physiotherapy commitment and the nature of the original injury.

Can ACL repair fail and what happens if it does?

As with any surgical procedure, there is a risk that the repaired ligament may not heal properly, or may re-tear. If ACL repair fails, the surgeon may recommend ACL reconstruction as a secondary procedure. Your specialist will discuss the risk of failure and what the options would be in that scenario before you agree to proceed.