Pre- and post-surgery physical therapy for ACL reconstruction is necessary to reduce the risk of complications, reduce recovery time, and ensure a full recovery.
The ACL, the anterior cruciate ligament, is a strong band of tissue that connects the thigh bone (femur) to the shinbone (tibia). An ACL injury may occur during sports that require sudden stops or changes in direction, and jumping and landing, such as basketball, soccer, football, and skiing.
When an ACL injury occurs, a person may hear a pop or feel a popping sensation in the knee. Immediately after the injury, the knee may swell, feel unstable, and struggle to bear weight under immense pain. Other symptoms of an ACL injury include loss of range of motion and an inability to continue athletic activity.
An ACL reconstruction may be necessary if:
The risks of surgery include knee pain or stiffness, poor graft healing, and graft failure after resuming athletic activities.
Immediately after surgery, the goals of rehabilitation include protecting the graft, reducing swelling, minimizing pain, restoring patellar mobility and full extension, improving flexion, and minimizing arthrogenic muscle inhibition. The physical therapist will also provide the patient with instructions for walking in a brace and managing the swelling.
A few exercises the patient will be taught to perform include:
During the second phase of rehabilitation, the patient will perform the following exercises:
The third phase of rehabilitation, six to eight weeks after surgery, will involve cardio: elliptical, stair climber, flutter kick swimming, and pool jogging. Patients will also perform exercises on the following machines: leg press machine, seated hamstring curl machine, hamstring curl machine, hip extension machine, hip abductor and adductor machine, and seated calf machine. Other exercises patients will do include:
The following phases of rehabilitation will focus on promoting proper movement patterns, continuing strengthening and proprioceptive exercises, supporting symmetrical performance with sport specific drills, and ensuring the patient is able to safely progress to full sport.
Upon successfully completing pre- and post-surgery physical therapy for ACL reconstruction, patients should be able to play their sport without any pain, swelling, or restrictions in range of motion.
