There are 6 phases of ACL surgery rehab. That cover from week 1 to after week 10. The focus of rehab is on getting your strength, balance and range of motion back in the affected leg. Many factors will come into play to determine how quickly your will move through the phases.
ACL Surgery Rehab - Phase 1 - First Couple of Weeks
The first phase of rehab is the realy rehabilitative phase. In phase 1 using some basic
ACL surgery exercises and RICE(rest, ice, compress, elevate) in weeks 1-2 you should be able to...
- Manage Pain
- Reduce Swelling
- Improve Range of Motion
ACL Surgery Rehab - Phase 2 - Weeks 3-4
In phase 2 of ACL surgery rehab the focus is on joint protection as you may begin to feel like you can do more than your knee is actually ready for. Some milestones for phase 2 include
- Range of motion from 0 - 100 degrees
- Walking with minimal limp
- Improved balance
Here is a great exercise to
improve range of motion after ACL Surgery
ACL Surgery Rehab - Phase 3 - Weeks 4-6This phase of ACL surgery rehab is sometimes called the controlled ambulation phase. The range of motion should increase from 0-130 degrees. You will also start on exercises involving the leg mini squats, single leg bridges etc. New and more difficult balance exercises will also be introduced into the rehab routine.
ACL Surgery Rehab - Phase 4 - Weeks 6-8
At tjhe end of week 8 in your ACl surgery rehab schedule you should have full range of motion. This is the key milestone to achieve in phase 4. Also during phase 4 weight will be added to your regular
ACL surgery exercises to help stimulate increased strength.
ACL Surgery Rehab - Phase 5 - Weeks 8-10
Finally...we are back at the light activity phase. Here you can start with some light jogging, elliptical machine, stepping exercises etc. The emphasis during this phase of physiotherapy is improved strength and balance and bringing the two exercises together ie 1 exercise to improve both strength and balance as opposed to strength exercises which only isolate strength.
ACL Surgery Rehab - Phase 6 - Weeks 10-and up
Depending on how your rehab has gone to this point you may begin to be cleared to return to activity. You may require to be fit for a brase or other device. You will likely be required to do some testing so that the surgeon and physio are confident that you are strong enough to return to sports.
Hopefully understanding the phases of rehab after ACL surgery will help you through the process. It can be very time consuming and frustrating however it is absoloutly critical that you take your physio efforts seriously as you do not want to end up like me going through the process for a second time.
If you have any suggestions to the process please leave a comment below.
