Get private ACL reconstruction surgery with a consultant of your choice
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are a common cause of knee instability, particularly among people who take part in sports or physically demanding activities.
At The Beardwood Hospital, private ACL reconstruction in Blackburn is delivered by experienced consultant orthopaedic surgeons in a safe, professional, and supportive environment.
Your ACL is one of the key ligaments within your knee and plays an important role in keeping the joint stable, especially during twisting movements, sudden changes in direction, or pivoting activities. When this ligament becomes torn or ruptured, you may experience pain, swelling, reduced confidence in your knee, or a sensation that the joint is giving way during movement.
For some people, physiotherapy and rehabilitation may successfully improve knee strength and stability. However, if instability continues to affect your mobility, activity levels, or quality of life, ACL reconstruction surgery may be recommended to help restore function and support a safe return to exercise or sport.
Private ACL surgery at The Beardwood Hospital gives you fast access to specialist assessment, consultant-led treatment, and structured rehabilitation tailored to your individual goals and recovery.
ACL injuries are among the most common knee injuries, particularly if you take part in sports that involve sudden turning, jumping, pivoting, or rapid changes in direction, such as football, rugby, tennis, or squash. The injury often happens when your knee twists awkwardly, your foot stays planted while your body changes direction, or your lower leg is forced forwards beyond its normal range of movement.
When your ACL becomes stretched or torn, your knee can lose stability and may no longer feel secure during movement. You may find it difficult to continue playing sport or carry out more demanding physical activities comfortably. An ACL injury can also cause significant pain, swelling, and difficulty moving your knee normally in the hours and days following the injury.
Signs that you may have injured your ACL can include:
Whether ACL reconstruction surgery is recommended depends on the severity of your injury, the level of instability within your knee, and how much your symptoms are affecting your daily life.
If your knee continues to feel unstable or painful, or prevents you from exercising, working, or participating in sport, surgery may help restore strength and function.
In some cases, non-surgical treatment such as physiotherapy may be appropriate, particularly if your knee remains stable and your lifestyle does not place significant strain on the joint. However, ongoing instability can increase your risk of further damage to the cartilage or other structures within your knee, which is why specialist assessment is important.
Your consultant will discuss your symptoms, activity levels, and treatment goals in detail to help determine whether ACL reconstruction surgery is the right option for you.
The cost of your surgery will depend on various factors, including the details of the procedure and which consultant you choose. We’ll give you a full itemised quote before you book.
You can choose to fund your treatment through self-pay (paying for yourself) or use private health insurance. We work with most major providers, and our friendly advisory team can help guide you through using your cover.
Our flexible payment options help you spread the cost of your payment across a time period that suits you. We offer fixed-term monthly payment plans over one to five years with no deposit required. If you decide to pay over 10 months, you will pay interest-free. If you are paying for a longer period, you will pay 9.9% APR.
ACL reconstruction surgery is designed to restore stability within your knee by replacing your torn anterior cruciate ligament with a new graft. In most cases, the graft is created using tendon tissue, which acts as a replacement for the damaged ligament and supports the growth of new ligament tissue over time.
The procedure is usually performed using knee arthroscopy, also known as keyhole surgery. This minimally invasive technique allows your surgeon to examine and treat the inside of your knee without the need for large incisions.
During arthroscopy, your surgeon makes several small cuts around your knee and inserts a thin instrument called an arthroscope. This contains a tiny camera and light, which transmits detailed images to a monitor in real time. Using specialised surgical instruments, your consultant can carefully repair and reconstruct the ligament while minimising disruption to the surrounding tissues.
You will usually receive either a general anaesthetic, meaning you are asleep during the procedure, or a spinal anaesthetic, which numbs the lower half of your body while you remain awake. Your consultant will explain which type of anaesthetic is most appropriate for you before surgery.
Once the arthroscope is in place, your surgeon removes the damaged ACL tissue and prepares the new graft. Small tunnels are then carefully created within your thigh bone and shin bone so the graft can be accurately positioned within the knee joint. The graft is secured using specialised fixation devices designed to hold it firmly in place while healing takes place.
After the reconstruction is complete, the small incisions are closed using stitches or surgical clips. Dissolvable stitches are commonly used and usually disappear naturally within a few weeks.
ACL reconstruction surgery typically takes between one and one and a half hours, depending on the complexity of the procedure and the surgical technique being used.
Several different types of tendon grafts can be used during ACL reconstruction surgery. Your consultant will recommend the most suitable option for you based on your anatomy, activity level, lifestyle, and recovery goals.
When tendon tissue is taken from your own body, this is known as an autograft. If donor tissue is used, it is called an allograft.
Your patellar tendon runs between your kneecap (patella) and your shin bone (tibia) at the front of your knee. This graft is commonly used because it is strong and provides excellent stability, particularly for people returning to high-impact sports or activities.
Your hamstring tendons are located at the back of your thigh and inner knee. Hamstring grafts are frequently used in ACL reconstruction and are often associated with smaller incisions and less discomfort at the front of the knee following surgery.
Your quadriceps tendon connects your quadriceps muscle at the front of your thigh to your kneecap. This graft may be recommended in certain cases, particularly if additional graft strength is required or if previous surgeries have affected other tendon options.
Your consultant will explain the advantages and considerations of each graft type during your consultation, helping you understand which option is most appropriate for your individual treatment plan.
Aftercare and rehabilitation are essential parts of successful ACL reconstruction. Following surgery, a structured physiotherapy programme is introduced to help restore movement, strength, and stability.
In the early stages, physiotherapy focuses on reducing swelling, regaining range of motion, and activating key muscle groups. As your recovery progresses, exercises become more challenging and are tailored to your goals and activity level.
Follow-up appointments allow your surgical team to monitor healing and guide progression through rehabilitation stages. Commitment to aftercare plays a key role in achieving the best possible outcome.
Recovery from ACL reconstruction takes time and varies between individuals. In the first few weeks, patients may use crutches and gradually increase weight-bearing as advised by their care team.
Most people can return to everyday activities within a few months, but returning to sport or high-impact activity usually takes longer. Full recovery can take several months, depending on rehabilitation progress and individual goals.
Your consultant and physiotherapist will provide guidance on timelines and milestones, helping you return to activity safely.
When you choose to go private with Circle Health Group, you can expect:
Going private for healthcare provides faster access to a vast range of treatment options, greater flexibility in choosing specialists, and more personalised care.
To book a consultation to discuss ACL reconstruction surgery with an orthopaedic consultant near you, use our online booking system, or give us a call and one of our dedicated advisors will help you find an appointment time that suits you.
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