Anterior cruciate ligament injury
A knee injury and common sports injury
A full or partial tear to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL)
What is an ACL injury?
Need to know
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What are the symptoms of an ACL injury? icon plus
When you tear your ACL, you may experience some or all of the following:
- A popping or snapping sound at the time of inury
- Pain
- Rapid onset of swelling
- Feeling unstable or unsteady when weight bearing after the injury
- Knee stiffness
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How are ACL injuries diagnosed? icon plus
Our knee specialist will assess you in detail, this will involve asking you a series of questions, examining your knee, and will often involve an MRI scan. MRI scans help to confirm the diagnosis, assess the severity of your injury and help you and your consultant to plan your onward care. -
Potential treatment options icon plus
Resting your knee is a key part of the recovery. Your consultant will discuss any further treatment options with you. These may depend on how stable your knee feels, your day-to-day function and your sporting profile. In certain cases, you may need to consider surgery to re-build your ACL (ACL Reconstruction). This involves rebuilding the ACL with other tissue — usually your own hamstrings or patella tendon. Your consultant will talk this through with you.
Our knee consultants
Our locations
From complex knee surgery to diagnostic scans and procedures, we provide exceptional orthopaedic care across our network of hospitals, outpatient centres and specialist clinics.
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The Wellington Hospital Knee Unit
Platinum Medical Centre
15 – 17 Lodge Road
NW8 7JA
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London Bridge Hospital
27 Tooley Street
London
SE1 2PR
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The Lister Hospital
Chelsea Bridge Road
London
SW1W 8RH
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The Princess Grace Hospital
42-52 Nottingham Place
London W1U 5NY
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The Wellington Hospital
Wellington Place
St John's Wood
London NW8 9LE
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HCA UK at The Shard
The Shard
32 St Thomas Street
London SE1 9BS
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Platinum Medical Centre
15 - 17 Lodge Road
London
NW8 7JA
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Chelsea Outpatients
272 & 280 Kings Road
London SW3 5AW
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Institute of Sport Exercise and Health (ISEH)
170 Tottenham Court Road
London
W1T 7HA
Request a knee appointment
We're happy to help you make an appointment with one of our experienced knee consultants. We can also make imaging and outpatient physiotherapy appointments for you.
Call us today
020 7079 4344