How much does ACL surgery cost?
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries are becoming a growing problem for many athletes, particularly women. The ACL is one of the knee’s four major ligaments and prevents excessive movement of the knee joint. ACL injuries most often happen when an athlete is landing or pivoting from a jump; he or she may suddenly feel their knee giving out. Once the ACL is completely torn, it cannot be repaired. In the past, such injuries would have ended an athlete’s career. Nowadays, however, surgery can help reconstruct the ACL and allow the injured athlete to return to full high-level athletic activity. ACL reconstruction involves using the patellar or hamstring tendon to create a new ligament. However, the cost of ACL reconstruction can be pricey for a patient not covered by health insurance. How much does ACL surgery cost?
Before you ask that question, however, you should first ask, do I need ACL reconstruction? Athletes in sports such as cycling, running and crew rowing may not need an intact ACL in order to continue to compete. On the other hand, for high impact sports such as football, soccer and basketball, which are particularly hard on the knee, then ACL repair is probably a must. The surgery also carries the risk of complications such as infection, stiffness and difficulty returning to full functioning. It is also not 100% effective, since some people who undergo the surgery do not see any improvement.
So how much does ACL surgery cost? If you have no insurance, then the full cost of the reconstruction, including the surgeon’s fee, hospital costs and anesthesia, will run to less than $20,000 to around $50,000. If the surgery is covered by insurance, however, the patient will only have to shoulder out-of-pocket costs of $800 to $3,000, which may include the hospital admission fee and co-pays for doctor visits before and after surgery.
The cost of physical therapy should also be taken into account. Rehabilitating the knee after surgery involves restoring the knee’s strength and range of motion, and improving the joint’s stability to minimize the risk of future injuries. Physical therapy usually goes for $50 to $75 an hour. Even if insurance covers the cost of physical therapy, there may be limitations as to how many sessions are paid for; thus, the recovering athlete could be forced to complete therapy at a gym or sports club to save costs.
Finally, there are other costs to be taken into account such as a knee brace or crutches and pain medication. Equipment may add $500 to the total cost of ACL reconstruction.
If the costs of ACL surgery seem too daunting, there are options. Physical therapy may be successful in strengthening the muscles around the knee and avoiding surgery. The athlete can also opt to shift to a sport that does not require an intact anterior cruciate ligament.
In the final analysis, how much does ACL surgery cost? The ultimate cost of ACL reconstruction may have to be measured not just in monetary terms, but in how the athlete deals with the injury and its impact on his or her future.
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