The knee is a flexible hinge point which plays a crucial role in carrying the weight of the whole body while walking and climbing. The Anterior Cruciate Ligament is the main support structure of the knee which restricts the rotation of the Femur (thigh bone) on the Tibia (shin bone). The injury in the ACL ligament usually occurs during sports that involve sudden changes in movement, such as jumping and landing. Depending on the severity of the injury and your activity level, you may be advised to seek an ACL reconstruction procedure to regain the proper functioning of the knee. About half of the injuries in the Anterior Cruciate Ligament occur with damage to other structures in the knee, such as articular cartilage or other ligaments.
In order to get the safest and effective treatment, it is important to discuss how much it will benefit from the surgery to repair the injury. If the patient is less active and generally keep himself away from the activities that require running, jumping, or pivoting, then he will be suggested the nonsurgical treatment. People who have faced ACL injury are at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis in the knee. Thus, to reduce the risk of complications, surgeons generally advised proper training and exercises.
From where people are obtaining the treatment for ACL reconstruction surgery is the focal point of the whole discussion. Hungary is one country that has emerged to be a medical tourism hub for patients seeking to enhance their quality of life. Quality of care, low prices, and convenient traveling with stays make Hungary a popular overseas healthcare destination for seeking the ACL treatment.
Hungary is renowned for its world-class medical amenities and highly admired infrastructures. Medical procedures are carried out in Budapest clinics with modern and up-to-date facilities at a very reasonable cost. Talking about the cost of ACL reconstruction, Hungary will charge up to $2800 and can go higher up to $ 4,000 which is surely a fraction of the cost charged in countries like U.S. and U.K for the same procedure. Here is the table which gives a clear idea of the cost of ACL reconstruction surgery:
Countries | ACL reconstruction Cost |
U.A.E | $8900 |
Singapore | $9300 |
Thailand | $7750 |
Czechia | $5343 |
Poland | $5364 |
5
Total Days
In Country
2 No. Travelers
2 Day in Hospital
3 Days Outside Hospital
Treatment cost starts from
USD 3000
Hospitals
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction refers to the replacement of the damaged ACL with a tissue to facilitate normal functioning of the knee. ACL is a major stabilizing ligament in the knee, which connects the femur to the tibia. ACL helps provide proper movement of the tibia. ACL also facilitates pivoting or sudden change in the direction of the leg, preventing the damage to the knee.
The ACL can be injured in different ways, thus warranting a need for ACL repair. The following scenarios may damage the ACL:
The ACL may not require surgery when the knee is stable when the ligament is not torn completely, or even when you don’t have to strain your knees by active sports. The alternate treatment in such a situation is “RICE” – Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.
Physiotherapy, exercise, and braces for legs can help provide support to the knee. Exercises such as swimming, running in a straight line, and playing golf can be preferred by active individuals if they do not wish to return to an active sports life.
General anaesthesia or local anaesthesia will be given before ACL reconstruction surgery. The tissue to replace the damaged ACL will be taken from the kneecap or hamstring tendons of your body, or from a donor. The surgery is usually performed with the help of knee arthroscopy.
ACL repair involves the use of a camera inserted into the slit made in the knee. A computer connected to the camera facilitates viewing of the inner ligament, by which the physician can perform the surgery. Other incisions are made to incorporate the required equipment and then the ACL reconstruction surgery is performed.
You will be sent home on the same day of the surgery. You will be instructed to use knee braces or crutches after one to four weeks of the surgery. The physician prescribes pain medications if required. Physiotherapy could help retain the integrity of the knee faster.
Anterior Cruciate Ligament rupture is the most common knee injuries and if you have injured it, you need to acquire the surgery to regain full functioning of your knee. In the majority of the cases, people injure their Anterior Cruciate Ligament in a sport or fitness activity. The ligament tears when the knee locks and twists or pivots at the same time. In most cases, it occurs in sports like basketball, football, soccer, and gymnastics where a sudden change in the direction stresses and damages the ligament. It also occurs when the tibia is pushed forward in relation to the femur.
This is the mechanism of the injury which usually troubles the women athletes because of differences in physical conditioning, muscular strength, and neuromuscular control. Sometimes, it is because of the difference in the pelvis and lower extremity alignment, increased looseness in ligaments, and the effects of estrogen on ligaments pigments.
The ACL reconstruction surgery is usually very expensive in western countries like US and UK. In a search of less-expensive countries, patients make their way to Hungary wherein one can get a reasonable cost for ACL reconstruction without compromising the quality a bit.
The cost for ACL reconstruction you will get in Hungary is a mere fraction of the cost in the U.S and the U.K. $2800 is the total cost for ACL reconstruction surgery in Hungary which can go higher up to $ 4,000. More importantly, the cost for ACL reconstruction depends on various factors such as:
Hospital Stay
Types of the hospital room
Types of hospital
Surgeon’s Expertise
One of the obvious ways people hurt their knees is by injuring their Anterior Cruciate Ligament that holds the bones together in the knee. If you have a badly ruptured ligament and you are an athlete, you need to get the surgery in which surgeon will replace your ACL with a new ligament. In Hungary, ACL reconstruction surgery involves using a graft to replace the ligament. The most common used graft are autografts or using a part of the patient’s own body part, that is, tendon of the kneecap which are called patellar tendon and hamstring tendons. To execute the surgery, many orthopedic surgeons use arthroscopic surgery rather than open surgery.
In the Patellar tendon autograft, the middle third of the patellar tendon below the kneecap is harvested together with a small block at each end. While, in the hamstring tendon, patient’s own hamstring tendon is used as a graft. Also, surgeons use Allografts for ACL reconstruction surgery in which cadavers are used as a graft and performed on the patients who have failed ACL reconstruction surgery.
Patients are kept in the recovery room after the procedure until they are alert and their vital signs are stable. In most of the cases, patients can go home the same day of surgery. Post the surgery, the patient needs to wear a knee brace and use crutches for several weeks after the surgery. The surgeons will also refer to an exercise rehabilitation program or physical therapy to their patients for a speedy recovery.
Graft healing may take a few extra weeks. Recovery time varies depending on the specific procedure, types of anesthesia, age, current health condition and many more. There will be discomfort after the surgery and thus, one needs to chase the follow-up appointments honestly. It is advised for patients to consult the doctor in case of breathing problem, calf pain, unresponsiveness, fever, inability to urinate, consistent pain, redness of your incision or knee point, etc.
Hungary proudly hosts the thriving private system in the country which is fully equipped with state of the art technology and facilities. Here are the top two hospitals which are renowned to offer the safest ACL reconstruction surgery.
Medicover Hopsital
DR Rose Private Hospitals
The doctors and surgeons in Hungary are internationally accredited, housing years of experience in their respected areas of expertise. See the list of top doctors and surgeons for ACL reconstruction in Hungary:
Dr. Miklos SZENDROI
Dr. Jozsef LAKATOS
Dr. Laszlo BUCSI
Dr. Levente GASPAR
Dr. Gabor SKALICZKI
Dr. Tamas PERLAKY
Dr. Gergely HOLNAPY
(+1) 424 283 4838