After undergoing ACL Reconstruction Surgery you'll now be faced with the long and difficult road of rehabilitation. This journey can take anywhere from 6 to 12 months before you reach your goals, so in this post we will look at:
- Each specific stage and how long they will take.
- What condition you can expect your knee to be in
- Types of exercises you will be performing
- Factors that can impact your results
So, let's begin.....
The Stages of Recovery post Surgery
Each person will progress at different rates and should not should not be discouraged or influenced by the speed of their recovery. The stages below are guideline for what you can expect to happen along the way but obviously things can change. Setting short-term and long-term goals is great way to give yourself the best possible chance of staying on track and getting back to the sport or activity you love so much.
Stage 1 (0-2 Weeks)
- Gain full extension.
- Reduce swelling around the knee.
- Gain muscular control of the injured leg.
- Allow the wounds to heal.
- Encourage normal gait pattern.
- Removal of stitches.
Stage 2 (3-6 Weeks)
- Full range of motion.
- Returning to normal gait patterns.
- Flexion of the knee up to 90 degrees.
- Increase in strength via exercises.
- Removal of knee brace.
- Return to driving.
Stage 3 (2-6 Months)
- Increase endurance via stationery bike and swimming exercises.
- Increased confidence within the patient.
- Return to work.
- Introduce functional movements like squatting, lunges, deadlifts.
- Increase flexibility.
- Single limb exercises to increase muscle tone in the injured leg.
Stage 4 (6-12 Months)
- Established the proper running techniques.
- Introduce plyometric like jumping, landing, cutting and lateral movements.
- Return to full strength, power, endurance training under physiotherapist evaluation.
- Gain full bio-mechanics control.
- Pass all Return to Play criteria's set by your physiotherapist.
Knee Time Lapse after ACL Surgery
Factors that may impact your Recovery
There are many factors that can have a negative impact on the progress of your knee, so it's important for you as the patient to have PATIENCE and allow your knee time to recover without rushing it, as this could cause serious complications.
- The graft the surgeon used doesn't adapt to your body.
- Quality and Experience of your physiotherapist.
- The level of work rate you apply to each exercise.
- Exercises that are available to you.
- Equipment that you use.
- The adaptability of your knee.
- Correct time management for each stage.
Now that you've finished reading what are your thoughts about the information,
- Did you find it helpful?
- Are you currently on this Journey?
- What Goals do you have set?
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