Understand acl reconstruction surgery, the options to discuss with a qualified clinician and what to confirm before planning a visit to Shiraz.
Key points
- Discuss your individual suitability, alternatives and risks with the treating clinician.
- Ask for written preparation and recovery instructions, including your medicines and follow-up.
- Confirm the healthcare facility, full costs and arrangements before booking travel.
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Anterior cruciate ligament surgery or ACL surgery is a common orthopedic procedure aimed at repairing or reconstructing a damaged or torn ACL. An ACL tear is the most common ligament injury often occurring for professional athletes who play sports involving frequent running and leg movements.
ACL surgery can be very expensive in many countries. That’s why some people seek out knee injury treatment abroad. Iran is an ideal country for those who cannot afford ligament reconstruction surgery in their home country either because they don’t have medical insurance or simply the prices are exorbitant even with insurance.
How is cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery performed?
Depending on whether the ACL tear is partial or complete and other factors, orthopedic surgeons use different techniques in ACL surgery. While traditionally a knee surgery was performed through the open technique, with the advances in technology surgeons now often utilize arthroscopic surgery for an ACL tear repair, especially for partially torn ACLs.
An arthroscopic ACL surgery is a minimally-invasive procedure that involves creating small holes in the knee and repairing the torn ligament. Arthroscopic knee surgery can be done both under local and general anesthesia.
If the ligament is partially torn, the surgeon sutures the tissue back together and in cases that the ligament is completely torn, it should be replaced with a donor graft, which is usually taken from somewhere else in the patient’s body (called an autograft) or sometimes from another person (called an allograft).
Grafts are usually extracted from patellar tendons (kneecap tendons), hamstring tendons, or quadriceps tendons. Autografts are typically used for adolescent or young patients and older patients usually need allografts.
If the cruciate ligament is to be replaced with grafts, the surgeon drills two holes called ‘tunnels’ above and below the knee joint and places screws in them to anchor the grafts. This transplanted graft functions as a bridge on which the new ligament will gradually grow.
While the open ACL surgery might require staying in the hospital overnight, an arthroscopic surgery is usually done on an outpatient basis, meaning you won’t need to spend a night in the hospital.
ACL repair surgery recovery and aftercare
There might be some swelling, bruising, and numbness in your knee, shin, and ankle for a few days after surgery and you may feel tired for some time following an anterior cruciate ligament surgery. All these side effects will subside in a few days.
What are risks and complications of ACL surgery?
- Infection
This rarely happens but if it does, it will be a serious problem. In cases that infection occurs inside the knee in the graft tendon, your body may not be able to effectively fight the infection and you may have to get the graft removed. You should let your doctor know if you notice any sign of infection including increasing pain and swelling, chills, and fever,
- Numbness
- Nerve or blood vessel injury
- Blood clots
- Loosening, stretching, scar tissue, or re-tear of the graft tendon, creating a need for a revision ACL surgery
Re-rupture of the cruciate ligament after surgery is uncommon, especially if an autograft is used as autografts are stronger than the original ACL. Possible causes of failure of ACL surgery are improper tension on the graft, suboptimal positioning of the graft, or improper fixation of the graft.
- Problems with the screws that hold the graft tendon
- Limited range of motion
- Stiffness (arthrofibrosis)
Stiffness after ACL repair is common but it can be easily addressed with rehabilitation. However, a type of stiffness called ‘cyclops lesion’ might not disappear with rehab and require arthroscopic surgery to be completely removed. This stiffness is a result of the formation of a ball of scar tissue in front of the knee, making you unable to fully straighten your knee after surgery.
- Crepitus (grating) of the kneecap when it moves against the lower end of the femur (thigh bone)
- Pain
- Anesthesia risks
It is very important to carefully follow the instructions of your surgeon to prevent post-op ACL surgery complications. Choosing a qualified and experienced orthopedic surgeon is also a major factor in reducing the chances of developing complications after ACL reconstruction surgery.
ACL tear risk factors
Some people are more prone to an ACL injury. They include:
- Females: The rate of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture is three times higher in female athletes than in male athletes. Although the exact cause is unknown, several factors are said to be contributing to this. They include differences in genetics, strength, anatomy, and jumping and landing patterns.
- Athletes: People participating in certain sports are more likely to tear an ACL or a meniscus. Sportspeople involved in sports such as football, soccer, basketball, volleyball, handball, tennis, downhill skiing, and lacrosse, which often require sudden deceleration such as pivoting, cutting, and landing on one leg, are more susceptible to an ACL injury.
- People with more active lifestyles: ACL injury is more common in people aged 15-45, indicating that those who are more physically active are at higher risk of knee injuries.
A practical point for your care
Before an operation, the pre-assessment team should review your health, previous tests and all medicines and supplements. Ask for written instructions on medicines, eating, drinking and aftercare that apply to your planned procedure.[1]
Planning treatment in Shiraz
Ask SanaMedTour about the appropriate specialty, appointment arrangements and practical support for your visit. The treating clinician confirms the diagnosis, treatment options, suitability and follow-up after assessment.
Request an itemised written quote identifying the clinician, facility, tests, treatment, medicines, reviews and any accommodation or transfers included.
Sources
[1] NHS: Preparing for surgery — supports the individual-care planning note above. ↑ Back to text
Editorial adaptation: 25 October 2026. General information for planning and discussion; your clinician’s individual instructions take priority.