Knee · Sacramento, CA
ACL surgery by a surgeon who studies the ACL.
Dr. Jonathan D. Hughes is a fellowship-trained knee surgeon, Sacramento Kings team physician, and published ACL researcher. He performs primary and revision ACL reconstruction in Sacramento, with graft choice, added stabilization, and rehabilitation individualized to each patient’s anatomy and goals.
Primary & revision ACL reconstruction
What Dr. Hughes treats.
- Primary ACL reconstruction: individualized graft selection (patellar tendon, quadriceps tendon, hamstring, or allograft) based on your age, sport, and anatomy.
- Revision ACL surgery: specialized care when a previous reconstruction has failed — addressing tunnel position, alignment, and the reasons the first surgery didn’t hold.
- Lateral extra-articular tenodesis (LET): an added stabilization procedure for patients at high risk of re-tear, informed by current evidence on rotatory instability.
- Combined injuries: management of ACL tears with meniscus, cartilage, or multi-ligament involvement in a single coordinated plan.
What to expect
From evaluation to return.
- Prehab matters: restoring motion and quadriceps control before surgery measurably improves recovery after it.
- Individualized graft discussion: there is no single best graft for everyone; Dr. Hughes walks through the evidence for your situation.
- Criteria-based return to sport: return is earned through strength symmetry, hop testing, and movement quality — not just months on a calendar — because objective criteria reduce re-injury risk.
- A published protocol: your therapist follows the same downloadable protocol Dr. Hughes uses for competitive athletes.
Recovery, documented
Rehabilitation protocols you can download.
Dr. Hughes publishes his post-operative protocols so patients and physical therapists can follow the same criteria-based plan used for elite athletes. Protocols related to this area of care:
Common questions
Common questions, answered.
Who is the best ACL surgeon in Sacramento?
Choosing an ACL surgeon comes down to training, volume, and approach. Dr. Jonathan D. Hughes, MD, PhD, is a fellowship-trained knee surgeon in Sacramento who serves as team physician for the Sacramento Kings and Sacramento State Athletics and has published peer-reviewed research on ACL reconstruction and knee biomechanics.
How long after ACL surgery can I play sports again?
Most athletes return to cutting and pivoting sports somewhere between nine and twelve months, but the honest answer is: when you pass objective return-to-sport criteria. Returning by the calendar alone is associated with higher re-tear rates, which is why Dr. Hughes uses criteria-based testing.
Do all ACL tears need surgery?
No. Some patients — particularly those who don’t participate in cutting or pivoting activities — do well with structured rehabilitation alone. The decision depends on your instability symptoms, associated injuries, and goals.
Sacramento, California
Start with an evaluation.
Dr. Hughes sees patients through Sutter Health in Sacramento. Whether you have imaging in hand or just a joint that won’t cooperate, a consultation is the first step.
Book a consultation