ACL Reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is one of the most commonly performed orthopaedic procedures, particularly in athletes who sustain complete ACL tears during pivoting or cutting sports. The ACL is a critical stabilising ligament within the knee joint, and its rupture results in persistent instability, recurrent giving way, and a high risk of secondary meniscal and cartilage injury if left untreated in active individuals.

At SilverOak Health, ACL reconstruction is performed arthroscopically — through small keyhole incisions — using either an autograft (tissue harvested from the patient's own patellar tendon, hamstring tendons, or quadriceps tendon) or an allograft (donor tissue). Graft choice is individualised based on patient age, activity level, sport, and anatomical considerations. The procedure involves careful preparation of the femoral and tibial tunnels, precise graft positioning to replicate the native ACL anatomy, and secure fixation using interference screws or other fixation devices.

Post-operative rehabilitation is as important as the surgery itself. Our specialist physiotherapy team guides patients through a structured, progressive programme addressing swelling management, early range of motion, quadriceps activation, progressive strength training, proprioception retraining, running mechanics, and ultimately sport-specific training and return-to-sport testing. Full return to competitive sport typically occurs at nine to twelve months, guided by objective strength and functional criteria rather than time alone. Our programme achieves excellent functional outcomes with re-rupture rates consistently below published benchmarks.