Is ACL reconstruction a big operation?
Compared with surgery for meniscal tears, ACL reconstruction is a much more involved procedure as it involves taking a tendon graft as indicated (usually the hamstring) from another part of the leg and using this to substitute the broken ligament. The time taken to recover from this type of surgery is much longer than for meniscal tears, and it may take up to nine months before you are able to undertake full sporting activities again. Generally, patients are advised that it can take up to one year to feel confident to participate in all their previous sporting activities, especially contact sports. When performed by an experienced surgeon, however, this type of surgery is highly successful, with 85–95% chance of patients experiencing good to excellent results.
