Mr William Aston
Private Consultant Orthopaedic Hip & Knee Surgeon
Specialist treatments
Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Reduce knee pain and improve mobility with expert anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery at RNOH Private Care. Our specialist Orthopaedic Consultants deliver personalised care focused on restoring movement and improving quality of life.
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The procedure
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction is performed to restore stability, strength and confidence in a knee that has been injured—most commonly through sports, twisting movements or trauma. It is recommended when the ACL is torn and the knee becomes unstable or gives way, particularly when physiotherapy and other non-surgical treatments have not improved symptoms.
The procedure involves replacing the torn ACL with a graft, typically taken from your own tendon (such as hamstring or patellar tendon) or from a donor. At RNOH Private Care, ACL reconstruction is carried out by specialist Orthopaedic Consultants with extensive experience in both routine and complex ligament injuries.
Before surgery
Your journey begins with a specialist consultation and detailed assessment to confirm that ACL reconstruction is the most appropriate treatment for your knee injury. This may include MRI scans to accurately evaluate ligament damage, assess associated injuries and allow your consultant to plan a reconstruction tailored to your individual anatomy and activity goals.
During surgery
ACL reconstruction is usually performed under general or regional anaesthetic. Using minimally invasive keyhole (arthroscopic) techniques, the surgeon removes the damaged ligament and replaces it with a carefully positioned graft. The graft is secured within the knee using specialised fixation devices to recreate the function of the original ACL. The aim is to restore knee stability, protect long‑term joint health and support a safe return to sport and daily activities.
After surgery and recovery
Most patients begin gentle movement and weight‑bearing soon after surgery, guided by an experienced physiotherapy team. Your rehabilitation programme is personalised and progresses through structured phases designed to rebuild strength, balance and control. Regular follow‑up appointments ensure your recovery stays on track. A gradual return to sport is typically recommended once healing milestones, strength levels and functional testing criteria are met.
Why choose RNOH Private Care
RNOH Private Care is based within a world-leading specialist orthopaedic hospital, where all care is dedicated to bones, joints and movement. Patients benefit from consultant-led expertise, advanced imaging facilities and a multidisciplinary team focused on achieving excellent recovery, long-term knee stability and safe return to activity.
Our treatments include Total Knee Replacement, Knee Arthroscopy, Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction and High Tibal Osteotomy as well as several others.
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Frequently asked questions
Talk to us01What conditions can knee treatments address?
Knee treatments are used to relieve pain, improve movement and restore function when knee problems begin to affect everyday life. Treatment options range from non-surgical care through to knee replacement surgery, depending on the severity of the condition.
02How is my knee condition diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically involves a detailed clinical assessment supported by imaging such as X-rays, MRI scans, or CT scans. These investigations help specialists accurately identify the cause and severity of your knee condition.
03Will I always need surgery?
Not all knee conditions require surgery. Many patients benefit from non-surgical options such as physiotherapy, pain management, lifestyle modifications, or guided injections. Surgery is recommended only when conservative treatments are no longer effective or when the condition requires surgical intervention.
04What should I expect during recovery?
Recovery depends on the type of treatment or surgery performed. Your consultant will explain expected recovery timelines, rehabilitation requirements, and any temporary activity limitations to support healing.
05Can I fund my own treatment? And do you have payment options to spread the cost?
Payment options
More information for Self Pay patients and payment options can be found here
Self funded patients
Cheques and Credit/Debit Card
All payments must be made in pounds sterling (£).
- Personal Cheques and Bankers Drafts should be made payable to ‘Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Trust’. Personal cheques can only be accepted if received in advance in order for the funds to be cleared.
- We accept all major credit cards however, we are unable to accept Diners or Amex.
- Outstanding accounts are monitored and reviewed regularly.
06What if I have third party sponsorship?
Patients must provide an original signed letter from their sponsor which clearly outlines their acceptance of responsibility for payment of the patient’s account. This must be received and agreed by RNOH Private Care prior to the appointment or admission date.
07What if I have Embassy sponsorship?
RNOH Private Care has excellent relationships with embassies. If you are a government sponsored patient your embassy will need to issue a letter of guarantee to cover the cost of your treatment. We must receive this letter before your appointment date to enable treatment to go ahead.
08What are your terms & conditions for knee treatments
Information about our Terms and Conditions is available here.
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Payment Options
Payment options
Take a look at how you can spread the cost of your treatment with our partners at Chrysalis Finance.
Get in touch we're here to help
Talk to usEmail enquiries
rnoh.pcenquiries@nhs.net
New patient referrals
(0)208 909 5114
All other enquiries
(0)203 947 0049