ACL Surgery (ACL Reconstruction) Cost in 2026
ACL Surgery (ACL Reconstruction) Overview
- National average: $20,000 (range: $10,000–$30,000)
- Insurance: usually — ACL reconstruction is covered by most insurance plans as medically necessary...
- Recovery: 42–180 days typical downtime
- Biggest cost driver: Facility type — outpatient centers can be 30–50% less than hospitals
ACL reconstruction is a surgery to repair a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) in your knee. The ACL is a major ligament that helps stabilize your knee joint. Athletes, especially those in high-impact sports like basketball and soccer, are the most common candidates for this procedure after experiencing a tear.
The final cost of your ACL surgery can fluctuate based on several factors. The type of graft used to reconstruct the ligament (autograft vs. allograft) impacts the price, as allografts tend to be more expensive. Also, facility fees can vary greatly depending on whether your procedure is performed at a hospital or an ambulatory surgery center (ASC).
Consider having your surgery at a freestanding ambulatory surgery center (ASC) instead of a hospital. ASCs typically have lower overhead costs, which translates to lower facility fees for you. Confirm all costs with your provider before scheduling.
Cost Breakdown
Here's how the total cost of acl surgery (acl reconstruction) typically breaks down:
ACL Surgery (ACL Reconstruction) Cost by State
Costs vary significantly by location. The map below shows how each state compares to the national average.
5 Cheapest States
- Mississippi — $17,700 (-11.5%)
- West Virginia — $17,960 (-10.2%)
- Alabama — $18,100 (-9.5%)
- Arkansas — $18,240 (-8.8%)
- Missouri — $18,360 (-8.2%)
5 Most Expensive States
- Hawaii — $23,280 (+16.4%)
- California — $22,660 (+13.3%)
- New York — $22,560 (+12.8%)
- Massachusetts — $22,300 (+11.5%)
- District of Columbia — $22,100 (+10.5%)
ACL Surgery (ACL Reconstruction) Cost in All 50 States
| State ▲▼ | Avg Cost ▲▼ | vs National ▲▼ | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| Alabama | $18,100 | -9.5% | View AL |
| Alaska | $21,740 | +8.7% | View AK |
| Arizona | $20,160 | +0.8% | View AZ |
| Arkansas | $18,240 | -8.8% | View AR |
| California | $22,660 | +13.3% | View CA |
| Colorado | $21,040 | +5.2% | View CO |
| Connecticut | $21,960 | +9.8% | View CT |
| Delaware | $20,500 | +2.5% | View DE |
| District of Columbia | $22,100 | +10.5% | View DC |
| Florida | $20,060 | +0.3% | View FL |
| Georgia | $19,600 | -2.0% | View GA |
| Hawaii | $23,280 | +16.4% | View HI |
| Idaho | $19,440 | -2.8% | View ID |
| Illinois | $20,240 | +1.2% | View IL |
| Indiana | $19,160 | -4.2% | View IN |
| Iowa | $19,100 | -4.5% | View IA |
| Kansas | $18,960 | -5.2% | View KS |
| Kentucky | $18,460 | -7.7% | View KY |
| Louisiana | $18,640 | -6.8% | View LA |
| Maine | $20,760 | +3.8% | View ME |
| Maryland | $21,360 | +6.8% | View MD |
| Massachusetts | $22,300 | +11.5% | View MA |
| Michigan | $19,900 | -0.5% | View MI |
| Minnesota | $20,700 | +3.5% | View MN |
| Mississippi | $17,700 | -11.5% | View MS |
| Missouri | $18,360 | -8.2% | View MO |
| Montana | $19,500 | -2.5% | View MT |
| Nebraska | $19,300 | -3.5% | View NE |
| Nevada | $20,100 | +0.5% | View NV |
| New Hampshire | $21,100 | +5.5% | View NH |
| New Jersey | $21,900 | +9.5% | View NJ |
| New Mexico | $18,760 | -6.2% | View NM |
| New York | $22,560 | +12.8% | View NY |
| North Carolina | $19,760 | -1.2% | View NC |
| North Dakota | $19,040 | -4.8% | View ND |
| Ohio | $19,660 | -1.7% | View OH |
| Oklahoma | $18,560 | -7.2% | View OK |
| Oregon | $21,500 | +7.5% | View OR |
| Pennsylvania | $20,360 | +1.8% | View PA |
| Rhode Island | $20,960 | +4.8% | View RI |
| South Carolina | $18,700 | -6.5% | View SC |
| South Dakota | $19,360 | -3.2% | View SD |
| Tennessee | $18,840 | -5.8% | View TN |
| Texas | $19,240 | -3.8% | View TX |
| Utah | $19,840 | -0.8% | View UT |
| Vermont | $20,900 | +4.5% | View VT |
| Virginia | $20,640 | +3.2% | View VA |
| Washington | $21,440 | +7.2% | View WA |
| West Virginia | $17,960 | -10.2% | View WV |
| Wisconsin | $19,960 | -0.2% | View WI |
| Wyoming | $18,900 | -5.5% | View WY |
What Affects the Price of ACL Surgery (ACL Reconstruction)
- Geographic location — cost of living and regional price parities vary widely across states
- Surgeon's experience & credentials — board-certified specialists with extensive experience typically charge more
- Facility type — hospital-based procedures cost more than outpatient surgery centers or clinics
- Anesthesia requirements — general anesthesia costs more than local or sedation options
- Procedure complexity — minimally invasive (laparoscopic/robotic) vs. open surgery affects cost and recovery
- Length of hospital stay — inpatient stays add room, nursing, and monitoring charges per day
- Pre-op testing & imaging — bloodwork, EKGs, MRIs, and other tests required before surgery
- Post-operative care — follow-up visits, physical therapy, and medications add to the total cost
- Insurance coverage — in-network vs. out-of-network, deductibles, and copays significantly impact out-of-pocket costs
Insurance & Financing for ACL Surgery (ACL Reconstruction)
ACL reconstruction is covered by most insurance plans as medically necessary for knee instability.
Financing Options
- Payment plans — many surgeons and facilities offer interest-free monthly payment plans
- Medical credit cards — CareCredit and Prosper Healthcare Lending offer promotional 0% APR periods
- HSA / FSA — if the procedure is medically necessary, you can use pre-tax health savings account funds
- Personal loans — medical personal loans from banks or online lenders can cover the full cost
- Hospital financial assistance — many hospitals offer charity care or sliding-scale discounts based on income
Recovery Timeline
Before your ACL reconstruction, you'll have consultations with your surgeon and anesthesiologist, plus imaging tests. Be sure to tell them about all your medications, as you may need to pause some before surgery.
On the day of, you'll receive either general or regional anesthesia. The surgery itself takes 1-2 hours, during which the surgeon will replace your torn ACL with a tendon graft. After surgery, you'll wake up in recovery.
Expect to spend the first 24-48 hours managing pain and swelling. Arrange for a ride home, as you won't be able to drive. Full recovery takes anywhere from 6 weeks to 6 months, depending on your activity level. You'll need physical therapy to regain strength and range of motion. Remember to schedule those follow-up appointments! Plan for time off work or school, especially if your job is physical. While challenging, with dedication to rehab, you can expect a return to your active lifestyle.
Frequently Asked Questions
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Compare ACL Surgery (ACL Reconstruction) Cost in Every State
Click a state to see detailed acl surgery (acl reconstruction) pricing, top surgeons, and local cost factors.