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ACL reconstruction in the UK

I have a partially torn acl and want to get back into high impact sport but my physiotherapist and OS are both against reconstruction because of the potential complications.  This isn't just NHS but private as well.  It made me wonder if acl reconstruction is less successful in the UK because the NHS doesn't like to pay for it and therefore pts don't get as much experience dealing with aclr patients.  This is just my theory but I've heard the success rate is about 90% but that might just be for America.

I don't like the thought of having to go through the tough rehab  but I can't live with the constant niggles that result from laxity and the hypermobility.  I'm also too young to have to give up being active.  I think it would be ethical for me to have acl reconstruction when you bear in mind that I'm only 29 and could be arhtitic in a couple of years, this could prevent me from needing a TKR or cortisone injections in the future.

My question is who in the UK is there who is prepared to reconstruct an acl on a patient with a partial tear.  I've been told NHS no way so it would have to be private.
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Avatar universal
I don't know what grade the tear is or what percentage there is intact but the surgeon said it was very small and it never showed up on mri.  He's got a good reputation for dealing with acls but he would only reconstruct if i was constantly unstable and even then reluctantly.  Physiotherapy has got me reasonably stable but i still don't feel right when i step onto that leg.  It doesn't go but if feels like it could go and there is some hypermobility.  It seems to me that I have the symptoms of a bigger tear or even a full one.
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Avatar universal
MEDICAL PROFESSIONAL
Hello!

You can discuss with your orthopedician and check the grade of your injury/tear.
As you are young you can go through rehab procedure very easily and if it is a grade I or grade II tear you can go for conservative therapy.

The pros and cons of surgery and the benefits at this stage should outweigh, only then the orthopedician will consider surgery.

Take care!
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