Choosing a good surgeon & hospital for ACL reconstruction

A snowHead

Hi,

I injured a knee two seasons ago. My ACL is only partly intact and stretched beyond doing its job. 1/3 of meniscus was folded over on the right hand side and could not be unfolded successfully so was removed.

I've given up karate and don't risk running around the football pitch with my boys and the village 'fun' team. I will play table tennis with my boys but am constantly aware of the instability in my knee and the possibility it might give way. I would't attempt to play badminton. I have skied with a brace (& even done some boarding) but am constantly aware of the instability in my knee.

I recently met a couple people who have undergone ACL reconstruction and while their rehab was long and tough, they have completely returned to their previous sports.

I can't imagine that I'd ever take up karate again, but I would like to be able to ski/board with confidence, kick a ball around with the kids, run for a bus etc.

I have private medical and am now considering ACL reconstruction.

I've done a little research online and seen comments about finding a surgeon who specialises in ACL reconstruction, rather than a general orthopaedic surgeon.

Can anyone offer any advice about how I choose a hospital & surgeon to be referred to ?

Thanks & regards,

Ian

A snowHead

PS - I'm based in Northamptonshire but would travel, if necessary, to find a hospital & surgeon specialising in ACL reconstruction.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Jonathon Bell on here is vey highly regarded and has Provided me with fantastic advice.

I have had three knee ops (one was an ACL reconstruction) the surgeon who carried the ACL-R was the best out of all of them and is based in reading. His name is Mr O'Leary.

You need to Login to know who's really who.

His details are

http://www.circlehealth.co.uk/consultants/sean-oleary

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

I would suggest giving the physio team at Northampton Saints a call - 01604 751543 - and ask for Matt Lee. ACLs are one of their areas of speciality (as well as shoulder, neck etc.) The top guy consultant in sport in the UK is considered to be Andy Williams at Fortius Clnic in London, but he is very busy, probably exceeds your insurance level and is about getting you back to playing for your country. There are many others that are very good including the Parkside Wimbledon teams and of which Jonathon Bell is a frequent contributor to this site. But, going back to my original pint, if the Saints trust their players to someone, they'll be top notch. Also, they will take a no nonsense, get you back to a high level approach that is for obvious reasons not the main focus of the NHS.

Good luck with the reconstruction and let us know how you do. Populating this site with feedback is a great source for others treading the same path.

You'll need to Register first of course.

Intensive physio for some time before and after the op seems a key component of a good outcome. I like the idea of surgeons and physios working as a team, as they do at the Wimbledon Clinic.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

Can't offer advice on choosing a hospital / surgeon in the UK, but I can entirely agree that it's possible to return to full sports after an ACL reconstruction, and that doing the rehab properly will help a lot.

I only did two years of karate many moons ago but I would not hesitate trying it again after my ACL was reconstructed four years ago. I ski, play tennis without problems. Hardly ever a twinge of pain.

Good luck!

After all it is free

Thank you all for your advice. I got a referral from my GP this morning and AXA-PPP are going to try to find me a local surgeon on their books who specialises in knees.

I've also dropped an email to Matt Lee at the Saints to see if he is able to offer any advice.

If anyone else has any further advice or can share their experiences I would really appreciate it.

Regards, Ian

piddi I cannot recommend Jonathan Bell highly enough. He reconstructed my ACL last April, 8 years after the initial injury & with an increasing instability that was seriousy interfering with life. I have not looked back since & have been skiing with no problems this season. Best of luck with it. You will find lots of helpful ACL stuff here - a lot of it from Jonathan Bell himself

http://www.wimbledonclinics.co.uk/consultants/mr-jonathan-bell/

*Ski* the Net with snowHeads

I had my ACL reconstructed by ian fyfe at northwick park hospital. He did a fantastic job and is a joy to talk to about skiing and diving.
I had the surgery just over 4 years ago. It took many months of physio before i could ski again.
He has done such a good job that i ski harder now than i did before the injury.
http://www.bmihealthcare.co.uk/consultant/consultantdetails?p_name=Ian-Fyfe&p_id=41117

snowHeads are a friendly bunch.

Professor Justin Cobb repaired my daughter' ACL last year. He works out of The London Clinic and did a fantastic job.

snow reports

I have just got back from perfect Breckenridge with a snapped ACL... gutted. I did the same 10 years ago and the op was carried out by Mr Shaw in Preston, Lancashire but I now live on the Herefordshire/Gloucestershire border any recommendations? I have BUPA cover (thankfully) ...

@powderprincesss, jonathan bell at wimbledon clinic if you can travel that far (sorry to hear)

You know it makes sense.

Jonathan Webb in Brizzle?

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

+1 for Jonathan Webb in Bristol - he did my ACL recon 5 years ago. Did a great job.

A snowHead

@powderprincesss, second Jon Webb in Bristol, absolutely first-class. Working in several private hospitals in and around Brizzle. As a former professional sportsman he has the right attitude to sports injuries, unlike a couple of the consultants that trained him. Helped me to fight back against negativity even though he was just a Houseman to my consultant back in the early 1990s and got me back on the slopes in double quick time too.