ACL Reconstruction Surgery
Restore your knee’s stability and reclaim your active lifestyle. Experience world-class orthopedic care led by the best ACL reconstruction surgeons in Tijuana. We operate exclusively out of the state-of-the-art Hospital Azar, offering completely transparent, all-inclusive packages that save you thousands compared to U.S. and Canadian healthcare systems.
Understanding ACL Reconstruction
What is ACL Reconstruction
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a crucial band of tissue located in the center of your knee joint, responsible for rotational stability and forward movement control. When this ligament is severely torn—often during sports or sudden pivoting motions—it cannot heal on its own. ACL reconstruction is a highly specialized orthopedic surgery that replaces the torn ligament with a tissue graft to completely restore the joint’s structural integrity.
How it Works
Our board-certified surgeons utilize advanced, minimally invasive arthroscopy. Through tiny incisions, a small camera (arthroscope) is inserted into the knee, allowing the surgeon to remove the damaged ligament with incredible precision. A new tissue graft (harvested from your own hamstring, patellar, or quadriceps tendon, or from donor tissue) is then expertly threaded into place and secured with specialized screws or buttons. Over time, this graft acts as a biological scaffolding, allowing new ligament tissue to grow and permanently stabilize the knee.
Why We Do It
A torn ACL often leads to a frustrating feeling of the knee “giving out” or buckling during daily activities. We perform this procedure to:
Restore Total Stability: Eliminate buckling and allow you to confidently return to pivoting, jumping, and high-demand sports.
Prevent Further Damage: An unstable knee drastically increases the risk of subsequent meniscus tears and cartilage damage.
Halt Degeneration: Reconstructing the ACL helps preserve normal knee biomechanics, significantly reducing the risk of early-onset osteoarthritis.
Procedure & Cost Comparison
| Procedure Details | US / Canada Standard | MOC All-Inclusive Package (Tijuana) |
| Total Cost | $20,000 – $50,000+ (Varies by insurance) | Up to 70% Less (Request a Custom Quote) |
| What’s Included? | Often billed separately (Surgeon, Anesthesia, Facility) | 100% All-Inclusive (Surgery, Hospital, Hotel, Transport) |
| Procedure Duration | 1.5 to 2.5 Hours | 1.5 to 2.5 Hours |
| Anesthesia Type | General or Regional (Spinal) | General or Regional (Spinal) |
| Total Stay Required | Outpatient (Sent home same day) | 4 Nights / 5 Days (Supervised Medical Stay) |
| Stem Cell Add-On | Rarely covered, highly expensive | Available as advanced intraoperative add-on |
All-Inclusive Packages
Navigating cross-border healthcare should be stress-free. At Mexico Orthopedic Center, your ACL reconstruction cost covers every aspect of your clinical care and logistics. There are zero hidden fees.
✅ Surgeon & Medical Fees: All fees for your board-certified orthopedic surgeon and specialized anesthesiologist.
✅ Hospital Azar Stay (3 Nights): 1 night pre-op observation and 2 nights post-op recovery in a private suite at our state-of-the-art hospital.
✅ Luxury Hotel Recovery (1 Night): 1 night of restful recovery at a premium partner hotel in Tijuana.
✅ San Diego (SAN) VIP Transport: Dedicated bilingual chauffeur service picking you up from San Diego International Airport.
✅ Post-Op Medical Care: In-hotel nurse visits to monitor vitals, incision care, and pain management.
✅ Medications & Gear: All required post-operative medications (pain relievers, antibiotics, blood thinners) and specialized surgical garments/knee braces.
Best ACL Surgeons in Tijuana
Your joint health is in elite hands. Our procedures are performed exclusively by leading board-certified orthopedic surgeons who specialize in sports medicine, complex joint reconstruction, and joint preservation.
Navigating cross-border healthcare should be stress-free. At Mexico Orthopedic Center, your ACL reconstruction cost covers every aspect of your clinical care and logistics. There are zero hidden fees.
Dr. Cristian Murillo
A highly esteemed orthopedic specialist known for precision graft harvesting and minimally invasive arthroscopic techniques. Learn more..
Dr. Héctor Alejandro Campos Reyes
A recognized leader in orthopedic trauma and joint repair, dedicated to customized surgical planning and rapid recovery protocols. Learn more..
World-Class Safety at Hospital Azar
All ACL reconstructions take place at Hospital Azar, a premier, brand-new medical center designed for complex surgical tourism.
Accreditations: Fully certified by COFEPRIS.
Infrastructure: Features 4 ultra-modern operating rooms, an on-site Intensive Care Unit (ICU), an in-house diagnostic laboratory, and private, sanitized recovery suites.
Clinical Procedure & Recovery Guidance
Surgery Expectations & Mandatory Preparation
To ensure the highest standard of safety, all patients must provide a recent knee MRI and undergo a physical evaluation by their local physician prior to booking. This allows our surgical team in Tijuana to accurately grade the ligament tear and design a customized surgical blueprint before you ever board a plane.
Prehab (Pre-Surgical Rehabilitation): We highly recommend beginning “prehab” 3 to 6 weeks before your ACL surgery in Mexico. Strengthening the quadriceps and hamstrings and restoring range of motion before surgery significantly reduces post-operative atrophy and accelerates your overall recovery timeline.
Stem Cell Advanced Healing
Mexico Orthopedic Center is at the forefront of regenerative medicine. We proudly offer Mesenchymal Stem Cell Therapy (Biologics) to our patients:
Surgical Add-On: Stem cells can be injected into the knee joint during your ACL reconstruction to drastically reduce inflammation, accelerate graft integration, and promote faster tissue healing.
Standalone Alternative: For partial tears or early-stage joint degeneration, stem cell therapy is available as a non-surgical, standalone regenerative treatment.
Recovery: Incision Care, Weight Bearing & Pain Management
Pain Management: You will receive targeted nerve blocks during surgery and a strict regimen of oral pain medications during your 4-night stay to ensure maximum comfort.
Weight Bearing: Most patients will be on crutches immediately following surgery. Depending on whether a meniscus repair was also required, you may be instructed to use toe-touch weight-bearing or partial weight-bearing protocols for the first 2-4 weeks.
Incision Care: Keep the surgical site clean and dry. Our nursing staff will guide you on how to change dressings and monitor the small arthroscopic incisions for optimal healing.
Physical Therapy: Formal PT should begin within the first 1-2 weeks of returning home to focus on knee extension and quad activation.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is it safe to get ACL reconstruction in Tijuana, Mexico?
Yes. Tijuana is one of the world’s leading medical tourism destinations. At Mexico Orthopedic Center, we operate out of the fully COFEPRIS-accredited Hospital Azar, utilizing strict US-equivalent safety protocols, advanced sterilization, and board-certified surgeons.
Do I need an MRI before I travel for surgery?
Yes. To determine your surgical eligibility and allow our orthopedic surgeons to create a precise surgical plan, you must obtain an MRI of your knee and a physical evaluation from a local doctor prior to booking your procedure with us.
Are there hidden costs in the ACL surgery package?
No. Our packages are strictly all-inclusive. The quote you receive covers your surgeon, anesthesiologist, hospital stay, hotel, medications, knee brace, and ground transportation from San Diego. The only things not included are your flight to San Diego and your at-home physical therapy.
Can stem cells replace the need for ACL surgery?
If you have a complete (Grade 3) ACL tear, surgery is necessary to stabilize the knee. However, if you have a partial tear, standalone stem cell therapy may be a viable alternative. We also highly recommend adding stem cells to your surgical reconstruction to supercharge the healing process.
Your 4-Step Pathway to Surgery
Step 1: Complete Health Profile
Step 2: Eligibility Review
Step 3: Surgeon Approval
Step 4: Schedule Booking
What Happens After You Submit Your Pre-Op Health Profile?
Complete Health Check
Fill out our brief, confidential online health profile.
Eligibility Review
Our clinical intake team evaluates your medical history within 24 hours.
Surgeon Approval
Our surgeon reviews your case details to confirm surgical candidacy.
Book A Date
Select your preferred surgery dates and place your deposit to secure your surgical spot.
Complete Your Free Pre-Op Health Profile
Complete your health profile today to receive an eligibility review and a customized price quote from our surgical team within 24 hours