For anyone who plays pivoting sports, a torn anterior cruciate ligament usually means reconstruction. The operation takes about an hour or two; the rehabilitation that decides the final result takes many months. This guide explains the path back to sport.
Choosing the graft
The new ligament is usually made from your own tendon: the hamstring tendons, the patellar tendon or the quadriceps tendon. Each has advantages, and the surgeon chooses according to your sport, your knee and their experience. A meniscus tear found at the same time is repaired or trimmed in the same session.
Rehabilitation in phases
The first goals are to control swelling and get the knee fully straight. Strength and balance work follows. Running usually starts after a few months, and sport-specific training comes later. Skipping steps increases the risk of a new injury.
When can I play again?
Return to pivoting sport is usually planned from about nine months, and only after strength, hop and stability tests show that the operated leg is close to the other. The date is decided by tests, not by the calendar alone.
Your time in Istanbul
Plan about 7 to 10 days for a wound check and the first physiotherapy sessions. You receive a written rehabilitation programme to continue with your physiotherapist at home, and progress is followed remotely.
ACL reconstruction: cost in Turkey and what is included
The price depends on the technique, the extent of the procedure, the hospital, the length of stay and any procedures planned together, which is why a single figure quoted without an examination or photo assessment is misleading. After a physician has reviewed your case, New City Clinic sends you an itemised written quote. It lists hospital, surgeon and anaesthesia fees, pre-operative tests, medication, any compression garment or support bra, accommodation, airport–hotel–hospital transfers and interpreting separately; flights are not included unless stated. When comparing clinics in Istanbul, look beyond the price: check that the hospital is licensed by the Ministry of Health, what the surgeon specialises in, and how follow-up is handled once you are back home.
ACL reconstruction with New City Clinic
New City Clinic is an authorised health tourism intermediary registered with the Turkish Ministry of Health and HealthTürkiye. When you contact New City Clinic about ACL reconstruction, a physician first reviews your photos and medical information, and you then receive a written treatment plan with an itemised quote. Once you arrive in Istanbul, the New City Clinic team organises your airport welcome, accommodation, hospital appointments and interpreting. Your procedure is performed by a specialist physician at a Ministry of Health approved partner hospital, and follow-up continues after you return home.
Recovery timeline
Weeks 0–2
Crutches, swelling control, getting the knee fully straight.
Weeks 3–12
Normal walking, strength and balance exercises, cycling.
Months 3–6
Running, more demanding strength work, agility drills.
Months 6–9+
Sport-specific training and return-to-sport tests.
Accommodation and transfers
On request, New City Clinic organises your airport–hotel–hospital transfers and your stay at partner hotels close to the hospital. The same can be arranged for a companion; details are set out in writing in your quote.
Aftercare
Medication and check-ups
Take the medication your physician prescribes as directed and attend your planned check-ups.
Smoking and alcohol
Both slow healing; avoid them before and after the procedure for the period your physician advises.
Movement and rest
Short walks support circulation; wait for your physician’s approval before strenuous exercise or heavy lifting.
When to get in touch
Contact your New City Clinic coordinator straight away in case of high fever, increasing pain, redness or anything unexpected.
Frequently asked questions
Can I live without an ACL?
Some less active people manage with physiotherapy alone, but repeated giving way can damage the meniscus and cartilage.
Will I need a brace?
Some surgeons use a brace for the first weeks; your surgeon explains what is right for you.
What should I send for a quote?
Your knee MRI images and report and a description of how the injury happened.
Deciding on ACL reconstruction is a confident step when it is taken with the right information and the right team. You can book a free consultation with the New City Clinic team for your questions.
This article is for general information; consult your physician for diagnosis and treatment.
