Arthrex All-Inside ACL Reconstruction – What It Means for You

If you’ve injured your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), you may be considering surgery to restore your knee’s stability. Advances in surgical techniques now allow a less invasive, faster-recovery option known as the Arthrex All-Inside ACL reconstruction — a cutting-edge technique offered by Mr Frame at Wessex Knee Surgery.

🧠 What is the All-Inside Technique?

Traditional ACL reconstructions require full-length tunnels drilled through your thigh and shin bones to anchor the new ligament. The Arthrex All-Inside technique is different.

Here, we only drill short, socket-like tunnels into the femur (thighbone) and tibia (shinbone), allowing us to pass and secure the new tendon graft using minimal bone removal and smaller incisions.

🏅 Key Advantages

✅ Less invasive surgery

By creating smaller “sockets” instead of long bone tunnels, there is less trauma to your bone and tissues. This often means less pain after surgery and quicker healing.

✅ Single tendon graft

We typically use one of your hamstring tendons — rather than two — to create a strong new ligament. This means:

More hamstring strength preserved

Faster return to sport and daily activities

Less pain and weakness at the back of the thigh

✅ Faster recovery

With smaller incisions and less surgical trauma, most patients:

Get moving and bearing weight sooner

Have less swelling and stiffness after surgery

Progress faster in physiotherapy

✅ More natural knee biomechanics

The All-Inside technique mimics the natural attachment points of your ACL very precisely. This can lead to a more stable and natural-feeling knee over the long term.

✅ Better long-term outcomes

Modern implants — like the Arthrex TightRope™ system — help the graft to heal securely in its sockets. Many patients experience less hardware irritation and can avoid the need for further surgery to remove screws.

🏥 What to Expect with Mr Frame

Your surgery is performed as a day-case procedure, usually under a spinal or general anaesthetic. Mr Frame will:

Assess the inside of your knee with a small camera (arthroscopy)

Remove damaged ACL tissue

Harvest a single hamstring tendon and prepare it as a graft

Drill short sockets into the femur and tibia

Pass the new ligament into place and secure it with low-profile buttons

Check your knee stability before closing up

You’ll go home the same day with crutches, pain medication and clear instructions on exercises to begin straight away.

🤕 Recovery & Rehab

Physiotherapy will start immediately — gentle exercises to regain motion, reduce swelling and begin rebuilding muscle strength. Many patients:

Regain a full range of movement in 4–6 weeks

Are cycling and swimming by 3 months

Begin light sport-specific training by 4–6 months

Return to full sporting activity at 9–12 months, once strength and control are back to pre-injury levels

🔍 Why Choose All-Inside?

If you want:

✅ Less invasive surgery

✅ Less pain and swelling

✅ Stronger graft healing

✅ Quick recovery

✅ Return to sport sooner

Then the Arthrex All-Inside ACL reconstruction may be the perfect choice for you.

📞 Book a Consultation

Mr Frame and the team at Wessex Knee Surgery will help you make an informed decision tailored to your knee. Get in touch to arrange an assessment and discuss the best ACL reconstruction options for you.

Email us at info@wessex-knee.com or call the clinic to book your appointment.