ACL Reconstruction Surgery in Hyderabad

A torn ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is one of the most common — and most disabling — sports injuries of the knee. Whether you twisted your knee on a cricket pitch, landed badly during a badminton smash, or fell awkwardly at the gym, an ACL tear can take the stability out of your knee and stop you from doing the things you love.

At our clinic, we offer advanced arthroscopic ACL reconstruction surgery in Hyderabad, performed by Dr Karthik Rao — a fellowship-trained orthopaedic and sports injury specialist. Using minimally invasive (keyhole) techniques and modern graft fixation, we rebuild your torn ligament so you can return to sport, fitness, and an active life with full confidence.

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What is the ACL?

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the four main ligaments of the knee. It runs diagonally through the centre of the joint and is your knee’s most important stabiliser — keeping the shin bone from sliding forward over the thigh bone and controlling rotation when you cut, pivot, or land.

Without a working ACL, the knee feels unstable, gives way during sport, and is at much higher risk of further damage to the meniscus and cartilage.

What is an ACL Tear?

An ACL tear is a partial or complete rupture of the ligament, usually caused by a sudden twisting or pivoting movement. ACL tears are graded as:

• Grade 1 — mild stretch; the ligament is intact but slightly damaged.
• Grade 2 — partial tear; the ligament is loose but still partially functional.
• Grade 3 — complete tear; the ligament is fully ruptured (this is the most common type and almost always needs surgery).

Symptoms — Do You Have an ACL Injury?

Most patients clearly remember the moment of injury. Common signs of an ACL tear include:

• A loud ‘pop’ or snap at the time of injury
• Sudden severe knee pain
• Rapid swelling within a few hours
• Inability to continue playing or walking normally
• A feeling that the knee will ‘give way’ or buckle
• Difficulty fully bending or straightening the knee
• Loss of confidence on stairs, slopes, or uneven ground

If you have any of these symptoms, please come in for an evaluation. An untreated ACL tear can lead to repeated injuries, meniscus damage, and early arthritis.

Common Causes of ACL Tears

• Cutting, pivoting, or twisting movements — common in cricket, football, badminton, kabaddi, and basketball
• Awkward landings from a jump or smash
• Sudden change in direction at speed
• Direct blow to the knee (contact injury)
• Road traffic accidents and falls
• Workplace injuries involving slips and twists

How We Diagnose an ACL Tear

• Detailed history of the injury and symptoms
• Clinical examination — Lachman test, anterior drawer test, pivot-shift test
• Knee X-rays to rule out fracture
• MRI scan to confirm the tear and check for associated meniscus or cartilage damage

Do All ACL Tears Need Surgery?

No. Some patients with low activity levels and stable knees may do well with physiotherapy and bracing. We almost always recommend ACL reconstruction surgery for:

• Active adults and athletes who play sports
• Patients with persistent giving-way episodes
• Younger patients (to protect the meniscus and cartilage long-term)
• Patients with associated meniscus or ligament injuries
• Anyone whose lifestyle, work, or hobbies need a stable knee

What is Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction?

Arthroscopic ACL reconstruction is a minimally invasive (keyhole) surgery in which we replace the torn ACL with a new ligament — called a graft — taken either from your own body (autograft) or from a tissue bank (allograft). Using an arthroscope (a small high-definition camera), we guide the new ligament into the exact position of the original ACL and fix it securely with bio-compatible screws or buttons.

Key advantages of arthroscopic ACL surgery:

• Tiny keyhole incisions, each 5–10 mm
• Minimal soft-tissue damage
• Reduced post-operative pain
• Lower risk of infection
• Faster recovery and return to sport
• Excellent cosmetic result — barely visible scars

Graft Choices — Which is Right for You?

Choosing the right graft is one of the most important decisions in ACL surgery. We discuss this carefully with every patient and recommend the best option for your sport, age, and lifestyle.

1. Hamstring Tendon Autograft

The most popular choice. Tendons are taken from the back of your thigh, doubled or quadrupled, and used to rebuild the ACL. Excellent strength, smaller scar, and quicker rehabilitation.

2. BPTB (Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone) Autograft

A small strip of the patellar tendon (with a piece of bone at each end) is taken from the front of your knee. The gold-standard for high-level athletes due to its excellent bone-to-bone healing.

3. Quadriceps Tendon Autograft

A robust graft from the quadriceps tendon — increasingly popular for revision surgeries and patients who want an excellent strength-to-recovery balance.

4. Allograft (Donor Tissue)

In selected revision or multi-ligament cases, donor tissue may be used. We discuss this option only when appropriate.

Why Choose Our Clinic for ACL Surgery in Hyderabad

• Fellowship-Trained Sports Surgeon — Dr Karthik Rao is specifically trained in arthroscopic ACL reconstruction and sports injury surgery.
• Personalised Graft Selection — we choose the right graft for your sport, age, and lifestyle, not a one-size-fits-all approach.
• Minimally Invasive Technique — tiny incisions, less pain, faster recovery.
• Modern Fixation Methods — biomechanically strong fixation devices for secure healing.
• Sport-Specific Rehabilitation — our rehab programmes are tailored to your sport — from cricket to badminton to kabaddi.
• Surgeon-Led Follow-Up — Dr Karthik Rao personally tracks your recovery from day one through return to sport.
• Transparent Pricing & Insurance Support — cashless options with all major providers.

Step-by-Step Procedure

Step 1: Pre-Operative Evaluation

• Detailed clinical examination by Dr Karthik Rao
• MRI to confirm the tear and check for associated injuries
• Pre-habilitation exercises to reduce swelling and restore knee movement
• Routine blood tests and anaesthetic fitness check

Step 2: The Surgery

• Performed under spinal/regional or general anaesthesia
• 3 small keyhole incisions (each ~5–10 mm)
• Graft is harvested and prepared
• Bone tunnels are precisely drilled in the femur and tibia
• Graft is positioned and fixed with bio-compatible screws/buttons
• Any associated meniscus tears or cartilage damage are repaired in the same sitting
• Procedure duration: typically 60 to 90 minutes

Step 3: Post-Operative Care

• Most of our patients are discharged within 24 hours
• Knee brace for 2–4 weeks (depending on the graft and any associated repair)
• Walking with a walker or crutches starts on Day 1
• Physiotherapy starts on Day 1 with a structured rehab plan

Recovery & Return-to-Sport Timeline

ACL reconstruction recovery is a marathon, not a sprint. The graft needs time to heal and integrate with the bone before it can take the load of sport. Following the rehab programme exactly is the single most important factor in a strong, stable, return-to-sport result.

• Week 0–2: Brace, ice, elevation; gentle range-of-motion exercises; walking with crutches.
• Week 2–6: Increase knee flexion and extension; quadriceps strengthening; transition off crutches.
• Week 6–12: Closed-chain strengthening; stationary cycling; light gym work.
• Month 3–6: Running, agility drills, sport-specific training.
• Month 6–9: Return to non-contact sport with brace if needed.
• Month 9–12: Return to full contact and pivoting sport — only after passing return-to-sport tests.

Cost of ACL Reconstruction Surgery in Hyderabad

The cost of ACL reconstruction surgery in Hyderabad depends on:

• Graft choice (hamstring, BPTB, quadriceps, or allograft)
• Type of fixation device used
• Whether meniscus or cartilage repair is also needed
• Hospital category and length of stay
• Type of anaesthesia

Estimated Cost Range: ₹1.2 Lakhs to ₹2.5 Lakhs (indicative).

*We share the final cost after your evaluation. Cashless insurance and EMI options are available with all major providers.