Overview
A torn Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) can turn a routine walk, workout, or football game into a long recovery journey. If your doctor recommends surgery, you may also be wondering what the ACL surgery cost in India is, and how much your health insurance will actually cover.
The cost can vary depending on the hospital, city, surgeon, graft, implants, surgical technique, and severity of the injury. Physiotherapy and follow-up consultations can also add to the overall expense.
This guide breaks down the cost of ACL surgery, what goes into the final bill, how prices vary across major cities, and when health insurance can cover the treatment.
ACL Surgery Cost in India: What You Will Actually Pay?
There is no single price for ACL surgery in India. The cost can vary significantly depending on the type of hospital, city, surgeon, graft or implant, and the complexity of the injury.
According to established hospitals such as Apollo Hospitals and Gleneagles Hospitals, ACL reconstruction in India can cost around ₹30,000 to ₹3.5 lakh, depending on the hospital and treatment requirements.
Note: These figures are indicative and can vary depending on the hospital and treatment requirements.
Claim Cost Insight
How Much Does Each Stage of ACL Surgery Cost?
Your total spending is not limited to the surgery itself. You may also have to pay for diagnostic tests before surgery and rehabilitation after it.
Disclaimer for Costs Mentioned
Source: The indicative cost ranges are based on cost information published by Gleneagles Hospitals.
What Goes Into ACL Surgery Cost: Graft, Implants, and Surgeon Fees
City and Hospital
Treatment in metro cities and corporate hospitals can cost more because of differences in hospital infrastructure, facilities, and operating costs.
Severity of the Injury
A straightforward ACL tear may cost less than an injury involving the meniscus, cartilage, or other structures of the knee, which may require additional treatment.
Type of Surgery
The cost can differ depending on whether you need primary ACL reconstruction, a more complex reconstruction technique, or revision surgery after a previous ACL reconstruction.
Graft Used
The choice between an autograft, which uses your own tissue, and an allograft, which uses donor tissue, can affect the overall cost. The type of graft used also depends on your individual injury and treatment plan.
Implants
The fixation devices used to secure the graft can vary in type and price, affecting the final surgical bill.
Surgeon's Fees
Professional fees can vary based on the surgeon's experience, expertise, and hospital.
Diagnostic Tests
MRI scans, X-rays, blood tests, and other pre-operative assessments can increase your expenses.
Anesthesia and Operating Room Charges
These may be included in the hospital package or billed separately, depending on the hospital.
Hospital Stay
Your room category, length of stay, nursing care, medicines, and other inpatient services can affect the total cost.
Rehabilitation
Physiotherapy, follow-up consultations, braces, and other recovery-related expenses can add to your overall spending after surgery.
Keep in mind: Ask the hospital for an itemized estimate before admission. This will help you understand whether the quoted price includes the graft, implants, surgeon's fee, anesthesia, room charges, medicines, and other consumables.
ACL Surgery Cost in Government Hospitals vs. Private Hospitals
The cost of ACL surgery in a government hospital can differ substantially from private hospitals. Government hospitals generally have lower treatment rates, while private hospitals can charge more depending on the hospital, city, surgeon, graft, implants, and room category.
For context, the current CGHS rate schedule lists ₹53,550 for ACL reconstruction in a non-NABH hospital and ₹63,000 in a NABH hospital for a semi-private ward in tier 1 cities. These are CGHS package rates and should not be treated as the amount every government hospital will charge every patient.
Private hospitals have a wider price range. Gleneagles Hospitals estimates ACL reconstruction at ₹1.2 lakh to ₹1.8 lakh in private hospitals in tier 2 cities and ₹1.8 lakh to ₹3.5 lakh in metro corporate hospitals.
The main difference is not just the cost of surgery. Government hospitals may have longer waiting times and fewer choices for rooms, surgeons, or implants. Private hospitals generally offer more flexibility but at a higher cost.
Talk to an expert
today and
find
the right
insurance for you.
ACL Surgery Cost in Major Cities
ACL surgery costs can vary considerably across major Indian cities. Metropolitan cities generally have higher hospital and surgeon charges because of differences in infrastructure, specialist availability, and treatment facilities. The choice of graft, surgical technique, implants, room category, and length of hospital stay can also affect the final bill.
For example, the ACL surgery cost in Bangalore can vary based on the hospital and the type of reconstruction recommended. Yashoda Hospitals estimates ACL reconstruction costs in Bangalore at around ₹70,000 to ₹2.2 lakh, with factors such as the graft used, surgical technique, hospital stay, and surgeon's experience influencing the cost.
Since costs can differ between hospitals and individual cases, it is best to get a personalized estimate after the surgeon evaluates the injury and recommends the appropriate procedure.
ACL Repair vs. ACL Reconstruction: How Cost Differs?
ACL repair and ACL reconstruction are different procedures, and the right option depends on the type and location of the tear and whether the damaged ligament can be repaired.
- ACL Repair: The surgeon preserves the existing ligament and reconnects the torn ends. It may be considered for selected ACL tears where the remaining ligament tissue is suitable for repair.
- ACL Reconstruction: The damaged ACL is replaced with a graft to restore knee stability.
How Much Can Each Procedure Cost?
Source: The cost ranges above are indicative estimates published by established hospitals such as PACE Hospitals and Gleneagles Hospitals. Actual costs may vary depending on the hospital, procedure, surgical technique, graft or implant used, and other treatment requirements.
What This Means for You: Repair is not necessarily cheaper than reconstruction. The final cost depends on the recommended procedure, the graft or implant used, the hospital, the surgeon, the room category, and any additional treatment required. Compare costs only after your surgeon confirms which procedure is appropriate.
Physiotherapy and Rehab Costs After ACL Surgery
Surgery is only the beginning of ACL treatment. Rehabilitation helps restore knee movement, muscle strength, stability, and function and may continue for several months.
Your post-surgery expenses can include:
- Physiotherapy: Regular sessions based on your recovery and rehabilitation plan.
- Follow-Up Consultations: To assess healing and progress.
- Knee Brace: If recommended by your treating team.
- Medicines: Like painkillers prescribed during recovery.
- Mobility Aids: Such as crutches, if required.
Gleneagles Hospitals estimates physiotherapy at ₹500 to ₹1,500 per session for 6 to 9 months and knee braces at ₹3,000 to ₹15,000.
The number of sessions and total rehabilitation cost will depend on your recovery and the plan prescribed by your doctor or physiotherapist. When estimating your ACL surgery expenses, include rehabilitation costs rather than looking only at the hospital bill.
Does Health Insurance Cover ACL Surgery in India?
Yes, ACL surgery is covered by health insurance when medically necessary, subject to the policy's terms, exclusions, and any applicable waiting periods. The coverage may depend on how and when the ACL injury occurred, and whether it falls within any applicable waiting period.
- ACL Tear Caused by an Accident: The initial 30-day waiting period does not apply to hospitalization due to an accident. Therefore, an accidental ACL injury may be covered from day one, subject to the policy's terms and conditions.
- ACL Tear That Existed Before Buying the Policy: If the injury or condition existed before the policy started, it will be treated as a pre-existing condition. The applicable waiting period depends on the policy and can be up to 3 years.
- ACL Tear Under a Specific Waiting Period: Most policies list non-accidental ligament, tendon, and meniscal tears as specific illnesses with a 2-year waiting period. For example, HDFC ERGO Optima Secure lists these conditions under its specific illness waiting period.
Once the ACL surgery is eligible for coverage, the policy may also cover certain expenses related to the treatment before and after hospitalization:
- Before Hospitalization: MRI scans, diagnostic tests, and consultations prescribed as part of the treatment may be covered under pre-hospitalization expenses, typically for 30 to 90 days before hospitalization, depending on the policy.
- After Hospitalization: Prescribed medicines, physiotherapy sessions, and follow-up consultations may be covered under post-hospitalization expenses, typically for 60 to 180 days after discharge, depending on the policy.
- Consumables During Treatment: Braces, dressings, and other disposables are generally treated as non-payable expenses unless the policy includes consumables coverage as an in-built feature or through an add-on.
Accident Versus Wear and Tear: Why Your ACL Claim May Be Delayed
The cause of your ACL tear matters when the insurer assesses your claim. A tear caused by an accident is treated differently from one linked to a pre-existing condition, gradual degeneration, or a non-accidental sporting strain.
Why Choose Ditto for Health Insurance?
At Ditto, we’ve assisted over 12,00,000 customers choose the right insurance policy. Why customers like Pallavi love us:
- 100% Free Consultation
- No Spam. No Sales Pressure.
- Rated 4.9/5 on Google Reviews by 30,000+ Happy Customers
- Backed by Zerodha
- Dedicated Claim Support Team
- Compare Plans and Premiums with a Trusted Insurance Advisor
Confused about the right insurance? Speak to Ditto’s certified advisors for free, unbiased guidance. Book your call now or chat with us on WhatsApp. Slots fill up fast!
Conclusion
The ACL surgery cost in India can range from tens of thousands to several lakhs, depending on the type of surgery, hospital, city, graft, implants, and complexity of the injury. Physiotherapy and other rehabilitation expenses can add to the total cost, so it is important to consider the full treatment journey when planning your budget.
Health insurance can help reduce these expenses when ACL treatment is covered under your policy. However, accidental injuries, pre-existing conditions, and specific illness waiting periods can affect when you can claim. Check these terms before buying a policy so you know what expenses will be covered and when.
If you are looking for comprehensive coverage, explore the best health insurance plans and compare their coverage, waiting periods, and exclusions before choosing a plan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Last updated on: