How Much Does ACL Surgery Cost?

When it comes to knee joint stability, the first thing that comes to mind is the knee’s anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). And when this ligament is injured/torn, ACL surgery is required which involves removing the ligament and replacing it with a graft tendon taken from other areas of your body or from a deceased donor. It is a complex surgical procedure to regain your knee stability.

Cost is an essential part of any surgery and is determined by various factors such as pre- and post-surgical expenses, the hospital stay, and the type of graft used. Read on to explore the cost of ACL surgery and how it varies accordingly.

What is an ACL Tear?

The knee is a hinge joint where the thigh bone (femur) meets the shinbone (tibia). The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the 4 ligaments of the knee and runs diagonally between the femur and tibia. This prevents the tibia from slipping in front of the femur. The ACL also provides stability to the knee when it rotates from side to side. Increased strain or pressure over the knee joint can damage the ACL. This is known as an ACL tear. Over-straightening, twisting, and landing down incorrectly after a jump or a fall can lead to an ACL tear. People involved in high-impact sports and activities such as football, soccer, volleyball, basketball, gymnastics, and skiing are more prone to ACL tears. 

What is the cost of ACL surgery?

ACL reconstruction surgery is a complex procedure that requires a skilled and qualified surgeon. The success of an ACL reconstruction surgery depends on the technique and, most importantly, on the graft used. The cost of ACL surgery varies, depending on many factors. However, the average, minimum, and maximum cost estimates are as follows:

• Average cost of ACL surgery: Rs. 2,90,000
• Minimum cost of ACL surgery: Rs. 1,80,000
• Maximum cost of ACL surgery: Rs. 4,00,000

What Factors Can Influence The Cost Of An ACL Surgery?

The cost of ACL depends on the following factors:

1. The qualification and experience carried by the surgeon. Highly skilled Orthopedic surgeons perform these surgeries and have more than 15 years of experience in the field
2. The surgical technique used – Arthroscopic and Robotic ACL surgeries are more expensive when compared to the traditional/open approach.
3. The extent of damage to the knee joint and ligaments– The cost depends on the grade of the ACL tear. A grade I injury would cost less than the grade III injury
   • Grade I- Injury with partial overstretch of the ACL
   • Grade II- Injury with a partial ACL tear
   • Grade III- Injury with a complete ACL tear
4. The graft used to replace the torn ACL – The grafts used are based on certain factors like pros and cons of the grafts, the patient’s lifestyle and the activities involved and the cost varies across grafts.
   • Allografts (grafts taken from tissues of a deceased donor) are more expensive when compared to autografts (taken from the patient’s body itself)
   • Autografts cost approximately Rs. 2,30,000 to Rs. 3,05,000.
   • Allografts cost approximately Rs. 2,50,000 to Rs. 3,90,000. 
5. The stay at the hospital –
   •  The cost also varies according to the number of days of hospitalization and the type of room chosen.
   • The number of days of hospitalization depends on
     • The  type of surgery (if partial or complete replacement).
     • The presence of any debilitating diseases that requires extra care to manage it.
     • Any untoward complications that may occur during or after the surgery.
   • Single sharing, twin sharing, and general wards have different price, which will eventually increase the overall surgery cost.
   • Single sharing rooms will increase the overall surgical cost.
   • General ward admission will decrease the overall cost.
6. Cost of anesthesia and surgical equipment- This depends on the type and quantity of anesthesia used and includes the anesthesiologist fees. 
7. Management of any complications occurring during the procedure– This may include the cost for extra care required for the management of these complications and if any corrective surgery is required to treat the complication.
8. Pre- and Post-surgical expenses.
   • Pre-operative expenses- These are the expenses that may be incurred before the surgery and include: 
     • Orthopedic surgeon’s consultation fees. This may range approximately around Rs. 500 to Rs. 1,500.
     • Diagnostic tests required. This includes 
       • Blood tests- Rs. 300 – Rs. 1,000
       • X-ray- Rs. 500- Rs. 2,000
       • MRI scan- Rs. 3,000- Rs. 25,000
       • Bone densitometry- Rs. 2,000- Rs. 7,500
       • Arthrography- Rs. 9,000- Rs. 15,000
   • Post-operative expenses– These are the expenses that may be incurred after the surgery and include:
     • Review consultation- Rs. 500- Rs. 1,500
     • Physical therapy- Rs. 300 – Rs. 1,500 (per session)
9. Type of hospital, its certifications, and location– ACL reconstruction surgery will cost less in a government hospital than in a private hospital (due to the difference in facilities provided). Similarly, a JCI (Joint Commission) Accredited hospital or a  NABH accreditation (National Accreditation Board for Hospitals and Healthcare Providers) hospital will cost more than a hospital without these accreditations as in JCI and NABH Accredited hospitals, certain norms have to be followed to ensure patients safety before and after surgery. The location of the hospital also plays a vital role in the cost. A hospital located in a village or two-tier town  will cost less than a hospital ln the metro due to the standard of living.
10. The insurance coverage– The insurance coverage can be cashless or partly covered. It depends on the type of insurance provider the patient is tied up with.

The above costs may differ by 5% to 10%  depending on the individual and other factors.

Takeaway

ACL reconstruction surgery in India is affordable to a great extent compared to other countries. That is why India is home to medical tourists from different parts of the world. The state-of-the-art technology and equipment used in the surgery are revolutionary. 

Visit us at Medfin for any queries on ACL surgery. We provide  the best treatment and care at an affordable cost. Our well-trained and experienced specialists have expertise in various simple and complex orthopedic procedures.

Disclaimer: 

The content on this site is the copyright of Medfin and is intended for informational and educational purposes only. This should not be considered as a substitute for medical and surgical expertise. Results from any treatments or surgeries are subjective to an individual patient and the type of procedure/ surgery performed. Please seek professional help regarding any medical concerns. Medfin will not be responsible for any act or omission arising from the interpretation of the content present on this page.