ACL repair cost in the UK
- STARR ligament repair developed at this clinic
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At a glance
How much does ACL repair cost in the UK?
ACL repair cost at LCC is £9,800, delivered as STARR (Suture Tape Augmented Ruptured ACL Repair). The figure is inclusive of theatre, the consultant anaesthetist, the STARR augmentation materials and post-operative follow-up. ACL repair is the right operation where the native ligament can be salvaged rather than replaced; private ACL repair cost is comparable to autograft reconstruction across the UK because the surgical decision-making and augmentation materials carry similar costs.
Inclusive price
£9,800
All-inclusive of theatre, consultant anaesthetist and follow-up.
ACL repair cost in the UK explained
ACL repair preserves the native ligament rather than replacing it. The torn ACL is re-tensioned and augmented with a collagen scaffold and suture tape (the STARR technique) to support the ligament while it heals. A typical ACL repair takes sixty to ninety minutes of theatre time. Imaging review, instrumentation, surgical disposables and the STARR augmentation materials make up a meaningful share of the cost.
At LCC ACL repair is performed by Professor Paul Lee, who developed the STARR technique used here. Anaesthesia is delivered by a consultant anaesthetist focused on lower-limb orthopaedic surgery. The £9,800 figure covers the surgeon’s time on the day, the consultant anaesthetist, theatre time, the STARR augmentation materials, and two post-operative reviews plus a six-month outcome assessment. ACL repair is priced the same as autograft reconstruction, even though STARR is a less invasive operation, because the surgical decision-making and the augmentation materials carry a comparable cost.
What is included in the price
Included in the price
- Pre-operative consultation with Professor Lee (60 minutes)
- Pre-admission anaesthetic review
- Theatre fee, surgical disposables and anaesthetic agents
- Operating surgeon’s fee
- Consultant anaesthetist’s fee
- STARR augmentation materials (collagen scaffold and suture tape)
- Cryotherapy and on-the-day medications
- Bracing and walking aid where required
- Two post-operative consultations (typically week 2 and week 6)
- Six-month post-operative review
- Direct line to the surgical team for post-operative concerns
Not included, quoted separately
- MRI imaging at £450 where not already available
- Pre-operative bloods if not already available
- Onward physiotherapy, quoted separately by your physiotherapist
- Travel and accommodation for international patients
Why ACL repair at LCC
STARR developed here
STARR (Suture Tape Augmented Ruptured ACL Repair) is the LCC technique for ACL repair, developed by Professor Paul Lee. The technique uses a collagen scaffold and suture tape to augment the patient’s own ligament while it heals.Repair where reconstruction is not the answer
ACL repair is appropriate where the ligament can be salvaged. Most private clinics offer reconstruction only; offering repair as an alternative requires the surgical decision-making to know when each is right. Not every ACL injury is suitable for repair; we will tell you at consultation which approach fits your knee.The surgeon you see is the surgeon who operates
Pre-operative consultation, surgery and post-operative reviews are with Professor Lee. There is no transfer to a registrar or to another consultant.Patients we treat
We see professional and amateur athletes, recreational runners, and patients whose ACL injury has been managed elsewhere and who want a second opinion before agreeing to reconstruction.
Your ACL repair journey
- 1
Discovery call (free, 15 minutes)
A clinical coordinator confirms whether ACL repair looks like the right treatment to investigate, books the consultation if so, and answers cost questions. - 2
Consultation with Professor Lee (£350, 60 minutes)
Imaging review, examination, and a treatment plan in writing. We confirm whether the ACL is salvageable for repair, or whether reconstruction is the right operation. - 3
Pre-operative preparation
Bloods, anaesthetic review, consent process. Typically two to three weeks before surgery. - 4
Day of surgery
Day-case admission at our partner hospital on Weymouth Street, central London. Surgery takes sixty to ninety minutes. Most patients are home the same day. - 5
First two weeks
Brace, crutches and protected weight-bearing. Direct line to the surgical team for any concerns during this period. - 6
Weeks 2 to 12
Physiotherapy with your chosen physiotherapist, progressive return to activity. Two follow-up consultations included with us. - 7
Six-month review
Outcome assessment, return-to-sport guidance where applicable, and discharge planning.
Funding, insurance and payment
Self-pay
£9,800 settled by bank transfer or card before surgery.
We can discuss finance options on request rather than promoting a specific finance partner.
Private medical insurance
London Cartilage Clinic is a private-pay practice and does not work with UK insurance panels.
If you are insured and would still like to be treated here, we can provide an itemised invoice for you to submit for reimbursement.
International patients
Outcomes after ACL repair
ACL repair preserves the native ligament. Most STARR patients return to non-cutting recreational activity faster than reconstruction patients (typically four to six months versus six to nine months) because the underlying biomechanics are closer to normal. Full return to cutting and pivoting sport is confirmed at the six-month review.
ACL repair is not always the right operation; where it is, it tends to give a more natural knee feel than reconstruction. The decision is made at consultation based on the tear pattern, tissue quality and your activity goals.
Patient stories
I was bracing myself for ACL reconstruction and a long recovery. Professor Lee assessed me and offered the STARR repair instead. I was back to skiing within six months.
Frequently asked questions
How much does ACL repair cost in the UK?
What is STARR and why does LCC use it?
How does STARR compare to BEAR or BioBrace?
When is ACL repair the right operation rather than reconstruction?
Can I claim ACL repair on private medical insurance?
Does the price include the anaesthetist?
How long is recovery, and is physiotherapy included?
What happens if there is a complication after surgery?
Why is ACL repair the same price as ACL reconstruction?
Is the surgeon I see at consultation the same one who will operate?
Where will the surgery happen?
Ready to talk
Two paths from here
For when you want to talk first, the discovery call costs nothing. For when you have decided you want to be assessed, book a consultation with the operating surgeon. Either way you can learn how the procedure works on the ACL repair page.