ACL Reconstruction Surgery Abroad

ACL tears are common in fast-pivoting sports such as football, rugby and skiing, where sudden stops or awkward landings put immense strain on the knee. The sooner the ligament is repaired, the better the chances of a confident return to sport - and everyday life - without chronic pain or recurrent giving-way episodes.

Thera Travel offers UK patients a smarter route: expert ACL reconstruction surgery abroad at internationally accredited clinics in Poland, Latvia and Turkey. You’ll benefit from consultant-level surgeons, English-speaking care teams, transparent package pricing that undercuts typical UK private fees, and surgery dates available in weeks, not months.

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ACL Surgery Cost Comparison: UK vs Europe

Private ACL reconstruction in the UK typically costs £7 000 – £10 000, with some London hospitals quoting guide prices above £8 000 once consultation and imaging are added. By contrast, our accredited partner clinics in Poland, Latvia and Turkey offer all-inclusive packages from around £3 000 – £5 700, even after factoring flights and hotel, thanks to lower operating costs and favourable exchange rates.
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Occasionally, UK residents may apply for S2 funding, which lets the NHS pay for pre-authorised treatment in an EU state hospital when UK waiting-times would cause “undue delay”. The scheme doesn’t cover private clinics, and approval must be secured before you travel, but it can reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients.

For a detailed breakdown of current prices, flight costs and what’s included in each package, read our blog ACL Reconstruction Cost: UK vs Europe.

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What Recovery Looks Like After Total Knee Replacement

Recovery begins right away - carefully, and with the right support in place.

• Week 1 – 2 | Settle swelling & protect the graft – Expect bruising and stiffness. Use ice, elevation and prescribed analgesia, practise ankle-pumps and gentle heel-slides to regain 0° extension and about 90° flexion. You’ll mobilise partial-weight-bearing on crutches and keep the leg raised whenever you rest. 
• Week 3 – 6 | Walk unaided & restore range – Once you can straight-leg-raise confidently, crutches are usually retired around week 3. Physio now targets full extension, ≥120° flexion, proprioception drills and low-impact cardio such as static cycling or pool work. 
• Week 6 – 12 | Build strength & low-impact cardio – The graft is still bonding to the bone, so avoid twisting motions. Progressive resistance (leg press, bridges, 0–60° squats) plus balance-board work strengthen quads and hamstrings; straight-line jogging can begin near the three-month mark once single-leg control tests are passed. 
• Months 3 – 6 | Jogging & sport-specific drills – Rehab intensifies with plyometrics, agility ladders and change-of-direction patterns. Many patients resume light, non-contact sport between four and six months, but clearance depends on strength symmetry and hop-test scores - not the calendar alone. 
• Months 6 – 12 | Return to full contact sport – Meeting objective criteria (≤10 % strength deficit, balanced hop tests, psychological readiness) and waiting at least nine months cuts the risk of a second ACL injury by up to seven-fold compared with an earlier comeback. When you tick every box, high-impact competition is back on the menu. 

Timings are averages; your surgeon and physiotherapist will tailor milestones to your graft type and overall health.

To support your recovery, we offer:

• On-site physiotherapy while you're still in hospital involving knee replacement exercises.
• Optional hotel-based rehab packages after discharge
• Virtual follow-up check-ins with Thera once you’re home

Every recovery is different, but we’ll be with you every step of the way.

Where Will I Go?

Your surgery will be performed by experienced orthopaedic surgeons who specialise in ligament reconstruction procedures, including ACL, PCL, and MCL repairs. These are carried out using the latest arthroscopic techniques to promote faster healing and long-term joint stability.

Riga, Latvia – 

ORTO Klinika

Recognised as the Baltics’ leading orthopaedic hospital, ORTO Klinika combines precision medicine with a calm, patient-first approach. Their team performs over 2,000 surgeries annually, including a high volume of ACL and multi-ligament reconstructions. With MRI imaging and diagnostics available on-site, everything happens under one roof - no waiting, no confusion. The staff speak fluent English, and patient satisfaction scores consistently exceed 95%. Direct flights from London, Manchester and Edinburgh make access seamless.

Jelenia Góra, Poland – 

KCM Clinic

KCM Clinic is one of Poland’s most advanced private hospitals, with a surgical team that contributes regularly to European orthopaedic research. Their dedicated sports injury unit treats hundreds of ACL, PCL and complex knee cases each year using cutting-edge arthroscopic techniques. The facility itself offers an international standard of care - sterile theatres, same-day imaging, and personalised recovery support. After flying into Wrocław (just over 2 hours from the UK), a scenic 90-minute transfer takes you to this well-regarded centre in the foothills of the Karkonosze mountains.

Nowy Targ, Poland – 

Allmedica

Set in the Polish Tatra mountains, Allmedica combines medical excellence with comfort. Their orthopaedic teams specialise in ligament reconstruction for active individuals - including recreational athletes and skiers. Facilities rival high-end private hospitals in the UK, with hotel-style rooms, on-site physiotherapy gyms, and personalised rehabilitation plans. Surgeons here perform ACL reconstructions daily using the latest graft fixation techniques. Kraków is the nearest airport, with regular budget and full-service flights from six major UK cities.

Wherever you go, you’ll be cared for by consultant-led teams in accredited operating theatres, with fluent English support from consultation to airport transfer. These aren’t just hospitals abroad - they’re world-class orthopaedic centres trusted by thousands of international patients every year.

Is ACL Surgery Overseas Safe?

Yes – when you choose an EU-accredited hospital with an experienced orthopaedic team, ACL surgery abroad is just as safe as in the UK, with complication rates under 1% at top clinics.

• Ultra-low complication rates – Large international registries put post-operative infection after ACL reconstruction at ≈ 0.4 – 0.6 %; leading European sports-injury units such as ORTO Klinika in Riga report an infection risk of just 0.2 – 0.5 % - lower than the 0.75 % wound-complication rate recorded across the English NHS.
  
  
• EU quality standards & oversight – All Thera Travel partner hospitals meet ISO 9001 quality-management criteria and operate under Directive 2011/24/EU, which guarantees UK citizens the same safety controls and patients’ rights they would enjoy at home.
  
  
• High-volume ligament specialists – Centres such as KCM Clinic, ORTO Klinika and Allmedica collectively perform hundreds of ACL, PCL and complex multi-ligament reconstructions each year, honing technique and outcomes.
  
  

Why many patients actually feel more supported than on the NHS

• One-to-one co-ordinator from booking to flight home, handling paperwork, airport transfers and hotel check-ins so you can focus on recovery.
  
  
• Daily, face-to-face physiotherapy starts the morning after surgery, with video follow-ups once you’re back in the UK - no six-week wait for community physio.
  
  
• Private en-suite rooms & English-speaking staff give you quiet rest, clear communication and the option for a companion to stay nearby.
  
  

Choosing an ISO-accredited clinic through Thera Travel means your procedure is carried out to recognised EU standards, by surgeons who do this operation every week - not once in a blue moon - backed by a concierge-style after-care programme.

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How to Book Your ACL Reconstruction Abroad

Getting started is simple - and we’ll guide you every step of the way.

1. Free video consultation – Arrange a 30-minute call with an orthopaedic case manager to review scans, confirm you’re a candidate and discuss destination options.
   
   
2. Personalised quote & surgery date – Within 24 hours you’ll receive a fixed-price package (surgery, flights, hotel, transfers) and a choice of theatre slots - often within the next two to four weeks.
   
   
3. Travel & pre-op checks – Your dedicated Thera Travel co-ordinator books flights and hotel, then greets you on arrival to guide you through blood tests, anaesthetic review and MRI if needed.
   
   
4. Surgery day – Keyhole ACL reconstruction under general anaesthetic, with English-speaking nursing staff at your bedside.
   
   
5. In-clinic rehabilitation – Daily physiotherapy starts the morning after surgery; most patients are discharged after one night, walking with a brace or sticks.
   
   
6. Fly home & remote follow-ups – Return to the UK when cleared by the surgeon (typically 3–4 days post-op) and continue rehab with our video-physio service and detailed exercise plan.
   
   

From first call to full recovery, Thera is here to support you.

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