ACL Tear Treatment in Singapore
ACL Tear Treatment
What You Need to Know About Diagnosis, Costs & Physiotherapy Options
An anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear is one of the most common yet serious knee injuries, especially among athletes, active adults and individuals who experience sudden twisting or impact.
Whether you’re trying to confirm your symptoms, understand treatment options or explore recovery costs, this guide will help you make informed decisions — including where to seek reliable physiotherapy care such as MoveMed Physiotherapy at Novena.
Where Can I Find Top-Rated Physiotherapy Clinics for ACL Tear Treatment Near Me?
Movemed Physiotherapy Knee
Early physiotherapy is the first and most important step after an ACL injury. Even if surgery is eventually required, strengthening and stabilising the knee before surgery (“prehab”) leads to faster healing and better surgical outcomes.
When searching for physiotherapy clinics near you, look for:
Clinics experienced in sports rehabilitation
Physiotherapists trained in knee ligament injuries
Facilities offering progressive strengthening and movement retraining
A structured ACL rehabilitation programme covering prehab to post-op recovery
If you're located centrally, MoveMed Physiotherapy (Novena) is a convenient and reputable choice. Situated in one of Singapore’s key medical hubs, we work closely with orthopaedic surgeons and provide comprehensive ACL tear rehabilitation — including pre-surgical conditioning, post-surgical care and long-term return-to-sport planning.
What Are the Signs of a Complete ACL Tear vs a Partial Tear?
Recognising the type of ACL injury early is crucial for proper management. While only an MRI can confirm the severity, several symptoms can guide you:
Signs of a Partial ACL Tear
A partial tear means the ligament fibres are stretched or partly damaged. Symptoms include:
Knee instability during quick movements but stable during slow walking
Mild to moderate swelling
Pain when pivoting or changing direction
Feeling of “something is off” but still able to bear weight
Less pronounced “popping” sound during injury
Signs of a Complete ACL Tear
A complete tear means the ligament is fully ruptured.
Common symptoms include:
A loud “pop” heard at the moment of injury
Sudden, immediate swelling within the first few hours
Knee buckling or giving way even during slow walking
Severe pain initially, then a dull ache
Inability to continue activity immediately after injury
A sensation of instability when standing on the injured leg
A complete tear almost always leads to knee instability during movement and often requires surgery for active individuals.
Are Non-Surgical Treatment Options for ACL Tears Available Locally?
Yes — not all ACL tears require surgery.
Non-surgical (Conservative) Treatment May Be Suitable If:
The tear is partial
The patient is not involved in pivoting or high-contact sports
The knee remains relatively stable
The patient is older or has lower physical demands
There are medical conditions making surgery high-risk
Conservative management includes:
Swelling reduction
Strengthening surrounding muscles (quads, hamstrings, glutes)
Balance and proprioception training
Movement retraining
Bracing if necessary
At MoveMed Physiotherapy (Novena), we assess knee stability, functional goals and lifestyle to determine whether surgery is necessary. Many partial tears and low-demand cases can achieve excellent recovery with physiotherapy alone.
How Much Does ACL Reconstruction Surgery Cost in Private Hospitals in Singapore?
ACL reconstruction costs vary depending on hospital choice, surgeon fees, implant type and inpatient stay. The following costs are the breakdown for the most expensive option (allograft and private hospital.).
Estimated Costs in Private Hospitals:
Total cost range: S$40,000 – S$50,000
Surgeon fees: S$20,000 – S$22,000
Operating theatre + facility charges: S$8,000 – S$12,000
MRI + diagnostic tests: S$800 – S$1,200
Post-op physiotherapy(and crutches): S$165 – S$200 for in hospital physiotherapy before getting out of the hospital.
Prices may be lower for day surgery settings and higher for premium hospitals or allograft implants
Estimated costs For Public hospitals
Public hospitals (subsidised wards – Singaporean with subsidy)
Subsidised (B2/C) after subsidy:
Rough estimates for ACL op itself: ~S$1,000–4,000 total (operation + implants + stay), depending on hospital and exact coding.
MOH bill benchmarks for knee ligament/meniscus MIS procedures in public hospitals show median total bills ~S$7,000–8,500 for B2/C before Medisave/insurance.
After subsidies + Medisave (up to S$3,950 for ACL), many patients report out-of-pocket often around S$500–2,000, sometimes a bit more if extra procedures are done.
Public hospitals (private-class wards A/B1 – no subsidy)
Why Physiotherapy Is Essential — Whether You Choose Surgery or Not
If You Choose Non-Surgical Treatment:
Physiotherapy helps stabilise the knee and retrain movement patterns so you can return to daily activities safely.
If You Choose Surgical Treatment:
Success depends heavily on:
Pre-surgery conditioning (Prehab)
Post-surgery mobilisation and strengthening
Return-to-sport programming
Skipping physio is one of the top reasons patients experience reinjury or poor long-term function.
At MoveMed Physiotherapy (Novena), ACL programmes are designed to:
Protect the healing ligament
Strengthen muscle groups that support the knee
Restore motion and mobility
Rebuild strength through safe progressions
Prevent compensatory movement habits
Guide return to sports or active lifestyle
About MoveMed Physiotherapy Singapore
At MoveMed, we support your recovery through purposeful movement.
Our professionally trained physiotherapists at Novena provide tailored sessions in a well-equipped facility—featuring treatment beds, shockwave therapy machines and more —to help you regain strength, mobility, and confidence.
Whether it’s pre-op rehab, pain management or post-op rehab, our team is here to guide your journey every step of the way.
📞 Call / WhatsApp: +65 9627 2000
📧 Email: hello@movemedsg.com
Regain control. Move better. Live stronger.
