ACL Surgery Cost in Singapore: A Comprehensive Guide

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A torn ACL can lead to knee instability and limit your ability to perform daily or athletic activities. Surgery is often considered when the ligament can no longer support normal movement or function.

What is ACL Surgery?

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) surgery is a procedure performed to repair or reconstruct a torn ACL, one of the major ligaments that stabilizes the knee joint. This surgical intervention is typically recommended for individuals who have experienced ACL tears during sports activities, accidents, or other knee injuries that result in joint instability.

How Does ACL Surgery Work?

ACL reconstruction surgery involves replacing the torn ligament with a tissue graft. The surgeon creates small incisions around the knee and uses arthroscopic techniques to view and access the joint.

The damaged ligament is removed, and the new graft is positioned and secured in place with screws or other fixation devices. The graft serves as a scaffold that the body will eventually convert into a functioning ligament through the natural healing process.

Factors That Affect the Cost of ACL Surgery

Type of Graft Used

The choice of graft material significantly impacts the cost of ACL surgery. Options include autografts (using the patient’s own tissue, commonly from the patellar tendon or hamstring tendons) or allografts (using donor tissue).

Autografts are generally less expensive but may involve additional surgical time, while allografts may cost more due to tissue procurement and processing fees.

Surgical Technique

The surgical method used can influence the overall cost of ACL reconstruction. While most procedures follow a minimally invasive approach, variations in technique and the use of additional surgical tools or technologies may add to the complexity and cost of the operation.

Surgeon’s Experience and Qualifications

The experience and area of focus of the surgeon can influence the cost of ACL surgery. Orthopaedic surgeons who specialise in knee or sports injuries and have a strong track record in performing ACL procedures may charge higher fees compared to general practitioners.

Diagnostic and Pre-surgical Assessments

Comprehensive pre-operative evaluations, including specialized imaging such as MRI scans, CT scans, or stress radiographs, contribute to the total cost. These assessments are essential for surgical planning and ensuring optimal outcomes but represent an additional expense beyond the surgical procedure itself.

Post-surgical Care and Rehabilitation

Following ACL reconstruction, patients require structured rehabilitation programs that may span 6-12 months.

The cost of physiotherapy sessions, specialized equipment like braces or continuous passive motion machines, and follow-up consultations with the surgeon should be factored into the overall treatment expense.

Medications and Additional Treatments

The cost of prescription medications, including pain management drugs, anti-inflammatory medications, and prophylactic antibiotics, adds to the overall expense.

Cost Overview

ACL surgery in Singapore typically costs between S$18,000 and S$30,000 for the complete procedure. This range accounts for the surgical procedure itself, including hospital admission, which usually requires a 1-3 day stay. Initial consultation fees are typically charged separately, ranging from S$100 to S$250 depending on the specialist. Follow-up appointments may incur additional charges, typically between S$80 and S$150 per visit.

Unlike some elective procedures, ACL reconstruction is generally a one-time surgery. However, rehabilitation through physiotherapy is an essential component of recovery, which involves multiple sessions over 6-12 months and represents an additional cost consideration.

Conclusion

ACL surgery cost in Singapore varies based on the specific clinical circumstances, surgical approach, choice of healthcare facility, and rehabilitation needs. The complexity of the knee injury, the surgeon’s expertise, and the type of graft used all play significant roles in determining the final cost.

If you’re considering ACL reconstruction or would like a clearer understanding of your treatment options and cost breakdown, consult a knee specialist for personalised advice and care.

Dr. Ambrose Yung

Specialist Orthopaedic Hip & Knee Surgeon

Dr Ambrose Yung Wai Yin is a Senior Orthopaedic Hip & Knee Surgeon with over 20 years of experience in the field of orthopaedics.

Areas of Expertise:

Knee Surgery: Complex procedures like revision knee arthroplasty, partial knee replacement, and primary total knee replacement.
Minimally Invasive Surgery: Shoulder, ankle, and knee surgeries with minimal scarring and quicker recovery times.
Limb Reconstruction: Specialized in both upper and lower limb reconstruction.

Computer-guided Knee Replacement: Dr. Yung trained at the prestigious Oxford University Hospital in the UK, where he specialized in computer-guided partial and total knee replacements.

Dr. Chee Kin Ghee

Specialist Hand & Orthopaedic Surgeon

Dr Chee Kin Ghee is a specialist hand surgeon with over 20 years of experience in hand and orthopaedic surgery.

His clinical expertise includes treatments for complex hand, wrist, and upper limbs injuries, wrist and finger joint replacement, minimally invasive hand and wrist surgery, and nerve compression release surgery

Dr Chee was awarded a 1-year fellowship (HMDP by MOH) & trained at world-renowned Wrightington Hospital Upper Limb Unit, UK.
He was trained in the management of complex upper limb conditions, including complex joint replacement of the shoulder, elbow, wrist, and hand, as well as modern minimally invasive upper limb surgery.

Dr. Low Mun Hon

Dr Low Mun Hon has over 20 years of experience managing trauma and orthopaedic clinical care. Prior to this, he has been in private practise as a practitioner at Singapore Sports & Orthopaedic Clinic (SSOC).

Dr. Low graduated from Monash University Medical School (Melbourne). Thereafter, he pursued his internship at The Alfred Hospital in Melbourne.

He subsequently continued his practice of medicine at Singapore General Hospital (SGH). During this period, he was awarded the membership of the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons at Glasgow in 2008 & Master of Medicine in Orthopaedic Surgery (National University of Singapore) in the same year.
Dr Low had previously worked as an orthopaedic trainee at various local teaching hospitals i.e. Ng Teng Fong General Hospital (NTFGH), Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH), KK Women’s and Children’s Hospital (KK Hospital) and Singapore General Hospital (SGH).

Justin Lim Xuan Li

Physiotherapist

Justin is a skilled and experienced physiotherapist who specializes in the treatment of neuro-musculoskeletal conditions (nerve, muscle and joint).

Over the years, he honed his clinical skills across all sectors of healthcare, allowing him to attain mastery of the sophisticated human body and address complex problems effectively, allowing him to successfully address complex neuro-musculoskeletal conditions at an accelerated pace.

Justin graduated from Trinity College Dublin and started his career in National Healthcare Group Polyclinics. His skills quickly gained recognition and was appointed as a clinical educator for physiotherapy students and even tasked to develop Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Subsequently, he continued his practice in community care settings such as Thye Hwa Kwan Rehabilitation Centres and Saint Andrew Community Hospital, where he focused on developing his skills for geriatric rehabilitation and improving quality of care in rehabilitation centres. He then moved on to private practice in Parkway East Hospital, specializing in post operative and outpatient rehabilitation.

Chan Jing Cheng (JC)

Physiotherapist

JC has over 12 years of experience in treating Chronic pain, Orthopaedic and Geriatric conditions.

He had worked at various Private Hospitals, Singapore General Hospital, NTUC Health Elder Care and Lions Home for the Elders.
He is passionate about solving complex musculoskeletal disorders and helping clients relief pain from trauma and illness.
He has a special interest in the Shoulder, Spine, Hip and Knee joint conditions.
He has helped thousands of clients go through rehabilitation smoothly and achieved higher satisfaction after orthopaedic surgery.

Zita Sham

Physiotherapist

Zita graduated with a Diploma in Physiotherapy from Nanyang Polytechnic (Singapore) in 2014 and started working in Ng Teng Fong General Hospital to serve her sponsorship bond.

Later in 2015, she pursued a Bachelor’s Degree in Physiotherapy from Trinity College Dublin, which was provided in Singapore Institute of Technology.

After completion of her studies, Zita worked in the Day Rehabilitation Centre in Jurong Community Hospital for 6 years, where she focused on community rehabilitation for a variety of patients. Patients that were mainly seen consisted of post-operative, geriatric and neurological conditions.
Zita also has a passion in musculoskeletal and sports physiotherapy and is looking to pursue that. She is also keen to provide home-based physiotherapy to reach out to those in need of her expertise.

Joanna Lim

Hand Occupational Therapy

Joanna’s primary specialization and passion is in hand therapy and upper limb rehabilitation, having more than 10 years of experience in this field.

Joanna obtained her Diploma in Occupational Therapy (Merit) from Nanyang Polytechnic in 2006. Under the MOH Health Science Scholarship, she graduated from La Trobe University, Australia, with a Bachelor’s degree in Occupational Therapy (1st class Honors) the following year. Upon graduation, she worked in Changi General Hospital and Sengkang General Hospital.

She has worked with hand and orthopedic surgeons in both inpatient and outpatient settings, providing quality therapy services for clients with a variety of hand and upper limb conditions, including fractures, sprains/strains, tendon injuries, nerve injuries, repetitive strain disorders and complex trauma injuries.
During her tenures at CGH and SKGH, Joanna was a Senior Occupational Therapist and held the role of Hand Therapy and Upper Limb Rehabilitation Unit Leader. She was in charge of clinical supervision and management of staff, manpower planning, and daily operations of the unit.