Blog article

Do You Need ACL Reconstruction? Insights from a Physio Who's Been There

By HBF
4 minutes
17 September 2025
Family playing in park
Had an ACL injury? HBF Physio’s Jakub Chudy answers common questions about ACL injuries, surgeries, and reconstructions.

Hurting your ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) can be a real setback, and getting back to your usual self takes time — anywhere from six months up to a year1 before you're back in action or ready for sport. The upside is surgery isn’t always on the cards, and a lot depends on whether your knee is giving way or not. 

Fortunately, these days the procedure is performed by keyhole surgery to minimise the surgical trauma1. Jakub from HBF Physio explains more - he also speaks from experience, having recovered from two of his own ACL surgeries.

Know what to expect: The out-of-pocket costs of ACL surgery explained

What is an ACL?

There are four ligaments in the knee joint. These ligaments are structures that help to control movement in the joint and keep the knee stable.

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of these ligaments and connects the thighbone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia).

“If an ACL is damaged, the knee often becomes unstable and can give way when loaded. Over time, this damage can affect other structures in the knee,” says Jakub.

Illustration of anterior cruciate ligament injury

How do I know if I need ACL reconstruction surgery?

You’ll need to get an assessment from a medical professional to understand when reconstruction may be required, but signs that a knee reconstruction may be necessary include:

 Jakub says that an MRI scan is the best way to diagnose an ACL injury. However, research shows that a detailed history and physical exam by an experienced health professional can be just as accurate. Because of this, the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners recommends only getting an MRI if the diagnosis isn’t clear after your doctor examines you, or if the result might change the type of treatment you need.

A helpful resource you might find useful is available on NPS Medicinewise. It can assist you in thinking about what matters most to you if you’re considering surgery.

 

What does ACL surgery involve?

An ACL reconstruction is usually performed by keyhole surgery and generally takes between an hour and 90 minutes.1

 “A typical ACL repair is done by grafting tissue, from either the hamstring or patellar tendon, into an anatomically correct position within the knee,” explains Jakub

“The torn ACL is removed, and the new tissue is grafted and fixed into place with special screws where it acts as a scaffold for new tissue growth and maturation. Over the next 12 months, the graft tissue slowly matures and strengthens.” says Jakub

What is the recovery time?

According to Jakub, your recovery time depends on how much your knee and other structures were damaged and/or repaired in the surgery, but here are some general things to expect.

“The most painful phase of recovery lasts 1 to 2 weeks, where pain control, swelling control and range of motion are the key goals.” Jakub adds

How can I recover well?

Surgery is generally very effective if patients follow some key steps and return to activity in the appropriate timeframes. From Jakub's experience, he says "12 months is widely accepted as a safe time to return to full contact, full-intensity sport."

Ways to recover well include:

HBF Physio tip: It’s important to be aware that between 6- and 12-weeks post-surgery while the swelling has reduced and your knee might start feeling more 'normal' the graft is still weak and in the repair phase. Often people don't feel a lot of pain in this period and may become overconfident, so make sure you stick to your rehab plan and don't overdo anything that may risk injury to the new graft.

How can I cover the cost of ACL surgery?

You can choose to access the public or private health system for ACL surgery.

HBF Member Story: Claire’s Netball Twist

Claire injured her knee while playing netball—a sport she’s played her whole life. On this particular night, she twisted it in a certain way and felt immediate pain. She left the court, and while the pain eased after a couple of days, the swelling lingered a bit longer.

She then went overseas for a two-week holiday. Although the knee wasn’t painful during the trip, it felt oddly unstable and weak. Upon returning, she visited a physiotherapist and was referred for a scan, which revealed a torn ACL.

The road to surgery

Having seen several friends recover well from ACL tears without surgery, Claire was keen to explore whether a non-surgical path might work for her too. Unfortunately, weakness persisted many months (and exercises) down the line, and a few falls were enough for Claire to decide with her health team that surgery was the best option.

The surgery for Claire was seamless, and while she won’t be returning to her netball glory her knee has fully recovered and her commitment to physio and Pilates is seeing her stay strong.

Claire’s biggest learnings and bonus advice:

HBF Members Top Tip: If you’re planning for surgery, don’t forget to investigate our network of Member Plus hospitals and surgeons. This can help reduce your out-of-pocket costs. Visit MyHBF to check your level of cover or call 133 423


1 Life Ready Physio + Pilates – Overcoming an ACL Reconstruction

2 Health Direct – ACL Reconstruction

3 Health WA - Elective Surgery Wait Lists