At a glance
- Who it is for
- People with a torn ACL whose knee still gives way in daily life or sport, or where physiotherapy alone has not resolved it.
- Walking
- Weight bearing usually the same day.
- Back to desk work
- Around 2 weeks.
- Driving
- Around 6 weeks, once you can do an emergency stop safely.
- Sport
- Running at 4 months; return to sport at 9–12 months.
- Patient rating
- 5.0 out of 5 from 31 verified patient reviews on Doctify.
- Waiting time
- New patients are usually seen within a week.
- Cost
- Self-pay consultation £400, with a fixed price for surgery quoted after your consultation. Insured patients need a GP referral.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are common among athletes and active individuals. When instability or repeated giving way affects daily life, surgical reconstruction is often recommended. Mr Sam Nahas is a consultant knee surgeon in Reading with specialist expertise in ACL reconstruction, revision ACL surgery, and meniscal preservation. Patients benefit from assessment within a week, rapid MRI, and surgery at Circle Reading Hospital — a leading orthopaedic centre serving Berkshire, Wokingham, Henley, Oxford and beyond.
Common Signs of an ACL Injury
- Sudden "pop" during activity
- Immediate swelling
- Knee giving way
- Difficulty returning to sport
How Diagnosis is Made
- Clinical examination by Mr Nahas
- MRI scan arranged usually within 7 days
- In most cases, feedback and treatment plan within 7 days
Treatment Approach
- Individualised plan: rehabilitation first when appropriate
- Surgery where clinically indicated for unstable knees or failed physiotherapy
- Emphasis on meniscus preservation
- Revision ACL reconstruction also available
We offer private ACL surgery in Reading with rapid access, evidence-based techniques, and clear recovery timelines.
Modern ACL Reconstruction Techniques
- Keyhole (arthroscopic) approach
- Precision graft placement to ensure natural movement
- Grafts: multiple graft options available
- Lateral Extra-Articular Tenodesis for extra support
Evidence and Research
Mr Nahas' approach to ACL reconstruction is guided by the latest evidence and international research. Every treatment recommendation is balanced with each patient's goals, anatomy, and functional needs.
The ACL SNNAP trial (Beard et al., The Lancet, 2022) studied 316 adults whose ACL injury was not recent and who still had symptoms of instability. They were randomly assigned to ACL reconstruction or to rehabilitation first, with reconstruction later if the knee stayed unstable; 41% of the rehabilitation group went on to have surgery within 18 months. At 18 months, the reconstruction group had better knee-related scores (KOOS4, by about 8 points), supporting reconstruction for people whose knee remains unstable despite physiotherapy.
However, surgery is not always necessary: in the Delaware–Oslo cohort (Moksnes, Snyder-Mackler & Risberg, JOSPT, 2008), 65% (34 of 52) of patients managed without surgery through targeted neuromuscular rehabilitation were "true copers" at 1 year—able to return to activity without instability—typically those with good dynamic knee stability and neuromuscular control (including some higher-level athletes).
Mr Nahas uses this evidence, amongst many other studies, and his specialist clinical experience to tailor each treatment plan—recommending early surgery, or intensive rehabilitation depending on the clinical situation and each patient's individual goals. This ensures every treatment reflects the most current research and is personalised to each patient.
Recovery Timeline After ACL Reconstruction
Weight Bearing
Usually same day
Return to Office Work
2 weeks
Driving
6 weeks
Running
4 months
Return to Sport
9–12 months
Each patient follows a recovery pathway designed for safe healing and return to full activity. The recovery pathway is tailored to each individual's lifestyle and sporting goals. Recovery is criteria-based and not actually based on a fixed time. What this means is you are not allowed to progress to the next phase of rehabilitation if your knee or muscles are not ready. Each patient's timeline will differ depending on progress, and results are not guaranteed as per this timeline. These are approximate estimates.
Risks and Complications
As with any operation, there are risks. Most patients have no serious problems, but it is important to know about them.
- Infection of the wound or the knee joint
- Blood clots in the leg (DVT) or lungs (pulmonary embolism)
- Bleeding, bruising or problems with wound healing
- A patch of numbness on the outer side of the scar
- Risks from the anaesthetic
- Stiffness, or difficulty getting the knee fully straight
- The new graft can tear again (re-rupture)
- Pain at the front of the knee or when kneeling
- Hamstring weakness or pain where the graft was taken, if a hamstring graft is used
- Arthritis may still develop in the knee in later years
Mr Nahas will go through the risks that apply to you at your consultation.
Why Patients Choose Mr Sam Nahas for ACL Reconstruction
- Specialist knee-only consultant
- Experience with professional athletes and complex revision cases
- Rapid access to MRI and surgery
- 5★ rated by patients on Doctify
Self-Pay Pricing for ACL Surgery
Self-pay packages are transparent and often include the surgery, follow-up, and physiotherapy. We provide clear pricing with no hidden costs, allowing you to plan your treatment with confidence. Please check the details of your own personal quote carefully.
Book a private ACL assessment in Reading today for consultations within a week and rapid imaging.
Where We're Based
ACL reconstruction is performed at Circle Reading Hospital, easily accessible from Berkshire, Wokingham, Henley, Oxford, Maidenhead, and Bracknell.