Traveling to Mexico for Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction surgery means savings of up to 68% — packages start at USD 4,935, with no extended waiting times.
Torn or ruptured ligaments will not heal without surgery, and failure to have surgery can result in greater damage.
Yet, ligament surgery in the US is expensive at best and impossible without insurance. The problem worsens when 27.5 million Americans have no form of health cover.[1]
In Mexico, however, it's a different story.
Tijuana, Monterrey, Guadalajara, Cancun and Puerta Vallarta have many first-class hospitals and experienced surgeons. Therefore ACL reconstruction surgery is never compromised - despite the lower price.
ACL surgery cost in Mexico is on average 63% less than in the US. A nine-year study suggests the cost of ACL surgery in the US was around $13,403.[2] In Mexico, prices drop close to $4,900.
In this article, we explain what you need to know about getting torn ligament surgery abroad.
The price difference is huge, allowing you to save thousands of dollars on the treatment cost alone!
Even when you consider the travel cost, you'll still save a lot as Mexico is right across the US border. It allows you to simply walk across the border when getting treatment in border towns like Tijuana.
Also, flights to Mexico are affordable, allowing you to have treatment combined with a vacation within your budget!
Several factors influence the cost of anterior cruciate ligament surgery here in Mexico. While the country has many quality hospitals and clinics, it also has several backstreet clinics.
Typically, quality clinics and hospitals provide a fair price for the work required and skill levels needed to perform such a procedure. While they may not be the cheapest costs found in Mexico, prices come with limited risk.
2. Clinic or Hospital Location
The location also plays a part in the cost of a ligament graft or torn ligament surgery in Mexico.
Clinics or hospitals located in tourist areas such as Puerta Vallarta or Cancun or border towns like Tijuana or Ciudad Juarez will charge competitive prices because of the demand for visits from American or Canadian medical tourists.
However, the above destinations are where the best hospitals and clinics are found, alongside some of the best orthopedic surgeons. Therefore, they come with less risk.
It's estimated, for example, that 97% of ACL sports injury cases recover fully.[4] Some hospitals have a 99% success rate.
3. Surgical Training and Experience
The final factor that may influence surgical costs is the experience of the surgeon.
Many highly skilled orthopedic surgeons complete their training in the US. Training costs somewhere between $250,000 and $500,000.[5]
As a result, many qualified surgeons come out with significant student loan debt that needs paying off. Clinicians won't be able to pay this off by charging rock bottom prices.
Meniscus Tears vs. ACL Tears: The Difference Explained
The meniscus ligaments act as a shock absorber, while the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) provides structural support for your knee.
Both meniscus tears and ACL tears are common knee injuries. The main contrast is their anatomical locations.
Meniscus Tear
ACL Tear
The ACL is a large ligament that connects the back of the thigh bone (femur) to the front of the shin bone (tibia). The ligament supports the knee bone by preventing the femur from shifting too far forward.
Alternatively, the menisci ligaments (2 per knee) sit on the tibia and form biological padding. The meniscus prevents the tibia from impacting the femur during movement.
So what does this mean?
Both tears can result in a decreased range of motion, excessive swelling, and immediate discomfort. The difference becomes clearer 24 hours after the initial problem.
If you experience an ACL tear, walking on flat ground should remain comfortable aside from any initial discomfort when the accident occurred. Walking downhill, ascending stairs or jogging, may, however, cause pain.
Conversely, because meniscal ligaments act as shock absorbers, any tears remain painful even when standing.
ACL Repair in Mexico – What To Expect
If you currently suffer from a torn or ruptured ligament, you'll know just how debilitating the problem can be.
In Mexico, experienced orthopedic surgeons will replace or repair a torn ligament using the latest tissue/ligament grafting techniques.
Surgeons will take tissue from the patella, hamstring, or quadriceps tendons, grafting it onto the problem area. Any incisions are then closed up using sutures. Doctors will use arthroscopic (keyhole) surgery.
Knee arthroscopy is used to diagnose and treat a wide range of knee problems. It also allows doctors to view the knee joint without making a large incision through the skin and other soft tissues.
This type of surgery is less invasive, more comfortable for patients, and promotes a speedy recovery.
As you can see, patients get the same treatment as they would back home for a fraction of the ACL surgery cost.
Plan Your ACL Surgery in Mexico
Here is what you might expect your itinerary to look like in Mexico.
Day 1 – Arrival at destination surgery – Pre-op consultations and tests are carried out before spending the night at your accommodation.
Day 2 – ACL Surgery – This is a simple procedure performed as an outpatient. When complete, you'll go back to your accommodation to recover.
Day 3 – Rest and recovery - Spend the day resting and recovering.
Day 4 – Follow-up consultation – Transport gets you back to the clinic, where you will see the orthopedic surgeon for a follow-up.
Day 5 – Return home – Once cleared to go, you are safe to travel home.
*Note: The above is only a rough guide. Itineraries for ACL surgery in Mexico may differ from clinic to clinic.
Recovery From ACL Surgery
While the surgical process is crucial to greater mobility, so too is recovery. If it's a sports-related injury, you may already have a recovery routine to follow.
Regular physiotherapy is critical to regaining both movement and strength in the knee joint.
Primarily, therapy involves returning motion to the muscles surrounding the knee joint.
The next phase involves a strengthening program designed to increase stress across the ligament.
The final step provides a functional return to coincide with the patient's lifestyle.
Because the ligament graft takes time to integrate, it can take 3-6 months for a patient to return to full fitness after ACL surgery.
Is ACL Surgery in Mexico Safe?
Yes, ACL Surgery in Mexico is safe and easy, provided you visit recognized clinics and hospitals. Top hospitals in Tijuana, Guadalajara, Monterrey, and Mexico City rival the best in the US and Canada.
Clinics are staffed by highly experienced and highly trained surgeons.
Hopefully, this guide has given you all the information you need to know about anterior cruciate ligament surgery in Mexico, including ACL surgery costs.
Alternatively, if you want to learn more about the benefits of ACL surgery abroad, we've listed some frequently asked questions below.
FAQs About ACL Surgery Cost in Mexico
If you have health insurance in the US, you can expect to pay between $800 and $3,000 out-of-pocket.
However, if you don't have medical cover, you can expect to pay between $13,000 and $50,000 for a surgeon, facility fee, anesthesia, and a ligament graft.
In Mexico, that cost is nearer $7,000-$8,000.
AWhen surgery is not done, a ligament problem can turn into a condition known as Chronic ACL Deficiency (CAD). The knee becomes more unstable, giving way on occasions.
Any abnormal sliding within the knee joint can affect the cartilage, which may rub against the bone. Friction can result in tremendous pain, and further damage can lead to early osteoarthritis.
Nowadays, surgeons often use keyhole techniques for ACL surgery, so recovery is relatively speedy. However, you may feel slight discomfort for a few days after surgery. You may also experience minor inflammation.
Rehabilitation therapy will help build strength and motion, allowing you to get on with your life faster and in greater comfort.
Although the cost of ACL surgery in Mexico is well-priced, it is still a significant outlay. The benefits of such a procedure, however, do outweigh the cost.
Not only is the method effective, but repaired tendons can perform like new. Clinical trials show that 85% of reconstructive patients studied reveal excellent mobility even after 20 years.[6]
The Key Takeaway
Getting ACL surgery in Mexico is both safe and cost-effective. Traveling to Mexico for torn ligament treatment means that patients avoid expensive medical costs in the US or long waiting times in Canada.
Reputable clinics and hospitals in Mexico also rival some of the best in the US.
For these reasons, anyone who does not have adequate cover or who cannot wait three years for ACL treatment should consider traveling to Mexico as an option.
If you want to know more about getting ligament surgery without the sizeable out-of-pocket expense, contact the team at Medical Tourism Corporation.
We're experts in getting you the safe treatment you need at affordable prices.
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