Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury
An ACL injury affects one of the main ligaments that stabilises the knee. With the right diagnosis and a treatment plan tailored to your goals, many people can restore movement, strength and confidence.
What causes an ACL injury?
The classic injury scenario is a change in direction, or jump/landing that goes wrong, twisting the knee, and causing damage to the ACL. This often happens during sporting activities when the body rotates but the foot remains firmly on the ground (typically during football, rugby or skiing), or a bad landing (during netball or basketball).
What are the symptoms?
- A significant number of patients hear a ‘pop’ or ‘snap’, and/or the knee gives way, followed by swelling within a few hours
- You may find that you are unable to put all your weight on the affected leg and that you cannot fully straighten or bend it
- In the longer term the knee may feel unstable and may even give way, particularly with a change of direction or rotation. Over time this leads to repetitive damage to the joint surface and meniscus (cartilage), potentially leading to the early onset of osteoarthritis
How is it diagnosed?
A diagnosis made during a medical consultation is backed up by X-rays and an MRI scan to show the extent of the damage.
How is it treated?
Not all ACL ruptures require surgery and if surgery is required, it’s not usually considered urgent; this is because having surgery too early, particularly when a patient can’t fully straighten their knee by themselves, can lead to considerable problems later on.
Rather than having surgery within a day or two of the injury, it’s often better to try non-operative treatment first.
Treatment routes for an ACL Injury
Physiotherapy can help restore movement, strength, balance and coordination. For some people, this provides enough stability to return to everyday activities without surgery. Your plan may also include temporary activity changes and support to manage pain and swelling.
Recovery goals after ACL surgery
Phase 1
The goals are to minimise pain and swelling, restore full straightening and comfortable bending, regain a normal walking pattern and begin rebuilding strength, balance and core control.
Phase 2
The goals are to regain strong single-leg control, improve hopping and landing skills, and begin a guided return to jogging when your strength and movement are ready.
Phase 3
The goals are to restore strength, agility, coordination and fitness, while building the physical and mental confidence needed for a safe return to sport.
Working with professionals and teams
Our consultants support professional athletes, sports teams, active individuals and people whose work places repeated demands on their knees. Working closely with physiotherapists, strength and conditioning specialists and the wider multidisciplinary team, they develop personalised treatment plans that support a safe return to sport, work and everyday activities.
The same specialist expertise and collaborative approach are available to every patient, whatever your activity level or recovery goals.
Our Experts - Leaders in Knee Treatments
Dedicated to restoring your mobility through advanced surgical care, tailored rehabilitation programmes, and compassionate, evidence-based patient support.
How to pay
We offer flexible options depending on how you choose to access care at Fortius. Whichever option you choose, we’ll help make the process clear and straightforward from the start.
Private medical insurance
If your care is covered by private medical insurance, we’ll usually invoice your insurer directly. Please check your policy in advance and request an authorisation code if your insurer requires one. You’ll be responsible for paying any policy excess or costs that aren’t covered by your insurance.
Paying for yourself
You don’t need private medical insurance to access care at Fortius. If you’re paying for your own treatment, our team will explain the costs clearly and provide a personalised quote before you decide whether to go ahead.
Find a clinic near you
Fortius Clinic Marylebone Wing
Our 79,000 sq ft, seven-story, private hospital on Wigmore Street has 39 en-suite inpatient rooms, consultation and treatment rooms, and a physiotherapy suite.
The hospital has a high-spec imaging suite fully equipped with an MRI, CT scanner and X-ray machine. There are three state-of-the-art operating theatres, two anaesthetic rooms and a recovery bay.
Fortius Clinic London has two Mako robots for hip and knee joint replacements.
- 66 Wigmore StreetW1U 2SB
- +442031952442
- Open 24 hours
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- CT guided injection
- MRI Scan
- CT Scan
Fortius Clinic Wimbledon
Our Wimbledon clinic houses a state-of-the-art imaging centre with a 3T MRI and X-ray scanners, Ultrasound, seven consulting rooms, two spacious waiting areas and well equipped treatment rooms all located on one level, ensuring easy accessibility for all patients.
Our partnership with Spire St Anthony’s Hospital allows us to provide orthopaedic surgery closer to our clinic. We treat a full range of conditions and perform joint replacement surgery using the latest Mako robotic assisted technology.
Take a tour of our clinic virtually through Google 360 views here.
We are open Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm, and Saturday mornings from 8.30am to 12.30pm.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground station is Wimbledon (District Line), which also has rail and tramlink services from central London and beyond.
There is no parking available at the clinic, but we have a number of parking facilities all within a 10-12 minute walk of the clinic: Centre Court Car Park, Broadway Car Park, and Hartfield Road Car Park. Please note that all of these facilities are paid car parks.
The building at 22 Worple Road has steps leading up to the front entrance. If you require assistance please inform us before your arrival by calling ahead on 020 3195 2442
- 22 Worple RoadSW19 4DD
- 0203 195 2442
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- MRI Scan
Fortius Clinic Marylebone
Our Marylebone Clinic is conveniently located in the historic area between Baker Street and Marylebone High Street, just off Manchester Square, home to the iconic Wallace Collection. We have seven consulting rooms, private waiting areas on each floor, well equipped treatment rooms and diagnostic imaging.
- 17 Fitzhardinge StreetW1U 2EU
- 020 3195 2442
- MRI Scan
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
Fortius Clinic City
Our City Clinic is conveniently located between Bank and Monument stations, within the historic and financial heart of London. At our modern, two-floor facility we have nine consulting rooms, spacious waiting areas, well equipped treatment rooms and an imaging centre.
Explore our City Clinic with our virtual tour.
If you are travelling by Tube, our closest underground stations are Bank and Monument, exit 6 for King William Street.
Should you be travelling by car, the closest parking is a three minute drive away at NCP Car Park London Vintry Thames Exchange. If you are attending clinic on a weekday, please be aware that we are based in the congestion charge zone.
- 75 King William StreetEC4N 7BE
- 0203 195 2442
- Monday to Friday from 8.00am to 8.00pm.
- Snow Injuries Clinic
- Tendon
- Sports & Exercise Medicine
- Ultrasound
- X-Ray
- Physician services
- Rheumatology
- MRI Scan
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