Is India the Best Destination For ACL Reconstruction Surgery?

Among the musculoskeletal injuries, an ACL(Anterior Cruciate Ligament ) tear is the most common injury of the knee as it affects the strength and stability of the individual. This procedure often requires surgical intervention to restore knee stability and function. 

For individuals seeking high-quality medical care at an affordable price, India has become a popular destination for ACL reconstruction surgery. In this blog, we will delve into ACL reconstruction costs in India and the factors affecting the price of ACL reconstruction.

Why is the ACL Reconstruction Procedure Needed?

ACL( Anterior Cruciate Ligament) is a knee ligament that connects the thigh bone to the shin bone. Each knee has one ACL, which forms an “X” shape inside your knee with your posterior cruciate ligament (PCL). 

The ACL tear is the most common injury, especially in athletes. It requires surgical treatment to restore stability and strength. It states that 85% of the ACL injury has been seen in the athletes.

The most common symptoms that may state that there is an injury in the ACL:

• Pain in knee
• Hearing or feeling the sound of the tear
• Swelling around the knee
• Unstability or losing the strength
• Not able to walk

The most common causes of ACL tears are sports injuries, car accidents, and falls.

The ACL tears are considered sprain and are graded on the severity scale.

• Grade 1 Sprain: This is due to a mild tear or stretch of the ligament.
• Grade 2 Sprain: In this ligament, stretch to the point that it becomes loose. It is stated as a partial tear of the ligament.
• Grade 3 Sprain: The ligament is torn in half completely, and the knee is unstable.

This injury can be treated through non-surgical treatment and surgical treatment. Surgical treatment is usually preferred where the graft made of the tendon is used to replace the torn ACL.

What is the Procedure of ACL Reconstruction?

ACL reconstruction has been done in the form of 3 main steps.

• Surgery preparation: Before going to the surgery, the patient is sent to physical therapy. Before the procedure, it is important that the other injury, like an MCL or PCL tear, must heal first.

After the physical examination, the surgeon will prepare the graft. The surgeon either autograft or allograft the selected tendon and create the graft to the correct size for the patient. After removing the torn ACL, the graft is placed into the knee.

• Pain Management: Surgery may cause major or minor pain. This pain can be reduced through medications suggested by the doctor. Some medicines are available to manage pain, including non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, opioids, and local anesthetics body research. 
• Rehabilitation: The best way to recover from the surgery is physical therapy. Rehabilitation procedures help the patients to restore their strength and mobility. The physiotherapist helps the patients by doing knee exercises daily to recover soon.

The Cost of the ACL Reconstruction Depend on:

India provides high-quality and cost-effective services for the procedure of ACL reconstruction. However, there are a few factors on which the ACL reconstruction cost in India depends. These factors are:

• Hospital and Location: The choice of hospital and location can impact ACL reconstruction surgery’s cost. Major cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore tend to have higher prices than smaller towns. Private hospitals may also charge more than government-funded institutions.
• Surgeon’s Fees: The expertise and reputation of the orthopedic surgeon performing the procedure can influence the cost. Highly experienced surgeons may charge higher fees for their services.
• Type of Surgery: The cost depends on the type of ACL reconstruction surgery performed. Traditional open surgery and minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques are available, with the latter often being less expensive due to smaller incisions and shorter recovery times.
• Hospital Facilities: The quality of hospital facilities, such as private rooms, advanced equipment, and post-operative care, can impact the overall cost.
• Insurance Coverage: Health insurance can partially or fully cover the cost of ACL reconstruction surgery in India, depending on your policy. Be sure to check with your insurance provider for details.

What is the Average Cost of ACL Reconstruction in India?

Based on the above factors, the average cost of ACL(Anterior Cruciate Ligament)) reconstruction ranges from between Rs. 2.5 lakh to Rs. 3.5 lakh.

The cost of reconstruction comprises:

• Length of stay in hospital 
• Type of implants used
• Surgeon’s fee
• Medications
• Rehabilitation fee
• Diagnostic tests fee
• The expense of the examinations, which includes blood tests, radiology, etc
• Room type

Who are the Best Surgeons for the ACL Reconstruction Procedure?

Another important factor to be considered is choosing the best surgeon. India has well-trained Orthopedic Surgeons trained from reputed institutions who have performed several ACL reconstruction surgeries. 

Some of the best surgeons available in India are:

Dr. Atul Mishra:

• Dr. Atul Mishra is a well-renowned Orthopedic Surgeon trained in dealing with complex orthopedic conditions.
• He has an experience of more than 23 years in this field.
• Dr. Atul has successfully performed 5,000 knee surgeries, including Joint Replacements and Arthroscopies.
• He has received various awards, including Chikitsa Gaurav Samman 2008 for its excellent services.

Dr. Ashok Rajgopal: 

• Dr. Ashok Rajgopal is a highly skilled and experienced Orthopedic Surgeon in India.
• He has been practicing in this field for the past 33 years and was the honorary surgeon to the President of India.
• Dr. Ashok has expertise in performing ACL reconstruction surgeries and knee and joint replacement surgeries. He treated many of the renowned athletes of India.
• He was best known as the first orthopedic surgeon in India that perform Bilateral Total Knee Replacement surgery and MIS Unicompartmental surgery.

Dr. Sanjiv K S Marya:

• Dr. Sanjiv KS Marya is the leading Orthopedic Surgeon in India.
• He has an experience of more than 38 years in this field.
• Dr. Sanjiv successfully performed 15,000+ joint replacement surgeries and ACL reconstruction surgeries.

Dr. I.P.S.Oberoi:

• Dr. I.P.S.Oberoi is one of the top Orthopedic Surgeons in India.
• He has an experience of more than 25 years and specializes in knee replacement, arthroscopy, and Joint replacement.
• Dr. Oberoi’s areas of expertise are Arthroscopic Surgery for Labral Tear of the Hip, Sports Injury, ACL / PCL, and Meniscus Repair.
• He performed over 7000 joint replacement surgeries with a 95% success rate.

Dr. C Vijay Bose:

• Dr. C Vijay Bose is an internationally trained Orthopedic surgeon in India.
• He has been in this field for more than 31 years and performed many orthopedic procedures like ACL/PCL reconstruction surgeries, Ankylosing spondylitis, partial knee replacement/high-performance oxonium knee replacements, and many more.
• Dr. Atul has treated more than 1100 patients from North America.
• He is best known for inventing the coaxial stitch techniques for accurate limb length adjustments during surgery.

ACL reconstruction surgery is a crucial procedure for individuals suffering from ACL injuries. India has become a preferred destination for this surgery due to its cost-effective healthcare options, skilled surgeons, and world-class facilities. The ACL reconstruction cost in India varies depending on various factors. However, It’s essential to carefully research and plan your medical journey, considering factors like hospital choice, surgeon’s expertise, and insurance coverage to make an informed decision about ACL reconstruction in India.