Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction
Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction surgery may be recommended if you have sustained an ACL rupture. Particularly if you are relatively young, active, and/or enjoy sports which involve pivoting (e.g., netball, basketball, football, rugby, tennis).
Benefits of Surgery
Recover Mobility
The primary goal of ACL reconstruction is to restore stability – this eliminates the “giving way” sensation, and allows your knee to feel secure and stable during dynamic movements.
Prevent Further Joint Damage
A stable knee significantly reduces the risk of secondary injuries, such as meniscus tears or cartilage damage, which can lead to early onset arthritis.
Return to High-Level Activity & Sport
For athletes and active individuals, ACL reconstruction is often essential to enable a safe and comfortable return to sport.
Procedure Information
Dr Richmond has sub-specialist expertise in ACL Reconstruction Surgery.
Following a thorough assessment, including physical examination, MRI, and consideration of your activity level – surgery may be recommended.
ACL reconstruction is typically performed arthroscopically (minimally invasive keyhole surgery) and involves:
Graft Selection
A tendon from your own body, usually the hamstring or quadriceps, is harvested and used to skillfully create an ACL replacement.
Graft Placement
Tunnels are precisely drilled in your femur (thigh bone) and tibia (shin bone), and the new graft is passed through and secured in place.
ACL injuries range from a strain or "stretch" through to partial or complete tears.
Conditions Treated
During your consultation, Dr Richmond will carefully evaluate your condition and discuss all management options with you, including non-surgical treatments, so you can confidently decide on the right path forward.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can easily Request a Consultation by calling our friendly team directly on (07) 4911 6088 during business hours OR use our online Consultation Request Form.
Standard Pathway:
A referral from a Doctor (GP or Specialist) that is addressed to Dr Richmond or any other Australian Orthopaedic Surgeon, is required. Once your referral is received, either direct from the Doctor or submitted by you, it will be triaged within 24 hours. Dr Richmond will review the referral and advise regarding referral suitability, appointment urgency, and the need for any further pre-appointment imaging. The administration team will then contact you to arrange an Initial Consultation.
Rapid Access Pathway:
If you 45 years old or younger and have sustained an acute sports-related knee or shoulder injury within the last 2 weeks you may choose to access this option. Call our team or use our online Consultation Request Form to request an Urgent Consultation (in person or via phone/video) with Dr Vicki Richmond (GP). Following an initial assessment, Vicki will arrange any imaging your require, a referral, and a Rapid Access Consultation with Dr Bradley Richmond, as appropriate.
DVA Gold Card and eligible White Card holders are bulk billed for all consultations. If referred by a third party, you may be entitled to receive care from Dr Richmond at no cost e.g., WorkCover, Surgery Connect.
Your Initial Consultation will involve a thorough discussion of your presenting concerns, functional limitations, and previous health history. Dr Richmond will perform a comprehensive physical examination and review any existing imaging (X-rays, ultrasound, MRI, CT scans). If further investigations are needed, they will be arranged. He will then provide a clear, understandable explanation of your diagnosis and discuss all suitable treatment options, ensuring you are fully informed for shared decision-making. If surgery is recommended (such as knee replacement surgery, rotator cuff repair, ACL reconstruction), you will receive detailed information about the procedure, expected outcomes, and potential risks.
The cost for orthopaedic surgery varies between surgeons, even for the same procedure.
Dr Richmond and his team takes Informed Financial Consent very seriously. If surgery is recommended for your condition, you will be provided with an individualised quote for the Surgical Costs associated with the indicated procedure. You will also be advised how to seek estimates for the additional Surgical Assistant, Anaesthetist, and Hospital costs.
If you have Private Health Insurance and are covered for the required item number, most elective procedures are undertaken with a Known Gap of $500.
If you are a WorkCover, Surgery Connect, or DVA patient - you will have no out-of-pocket Surgical Costs.
Please see the Fees page for more detailed information.
Yes, as long as your Private Health Insurance covers your for the required item number; most elective procedures are undertaken with a Known Gap of $500.
Estimated Price
For patients with Private Health Insurance who are eligible for this Procedure, Dr Bradley Richmond charges a Known Gap. The remaining Surgical costs are covered jointly by your Private Health Insurer and Medicare.
$500 Known Gap
Dr Richmond and his team will also advise you how to seek estimates for the additional Surgical Assistant, Anaesthetist and Hospital costs.
Please visit our Fees page to learn more, including information relevant to WorkCover, Surgery Connect, DVA, and Self-Funded patients.
Meet Dr Richmond
About Dr Bradley Richmond
Dr Bradley Richmond graduated as a Doctor from the University of Auckland in 2004 and trained as an Orthopaedic Surgeon in New Zealand, obtaining fellowship of The Royal Australasian College of Surgeons in 2014. He then spent a further 18 months undertaking subspecialty fellowship training in in Knee and Shoulder surgery in Sydney.
Since December 2015, Dr Richmond has had an appointment as a Staff Specialist at Rockhampton Hospital – providing Orthopaedic care to Central Queenslanders, and providing training and supervision to Orthopaedic Trainees, Junior Doctors, and International Medical Graduate Specialists.
Dr Richmond and his family have now called Central Queensland home for nearly 10 years and are heavily involved in the Rockhampton community. He is passionate about all things sport and is a keen Squash player and Golfer.
Operating Locations
Consulting Locations
Mater Medical Centre can be accessed via Jessie Street or through the Ward Street carpark. Suite 4 is on the ground floor.