Typical Post-Surgical ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation Schedule

Weeks 1-2:

Range of Motion exercises

• Regain full extension of the knee.
• Walking
• Gentle strengthening
• Aerobic work (stationary bike; this improves strengthening and movement in the joint)

Weeks 3-6:

As motion increases, emphasis is shifted to strengthening

• Balance and proprioceptive exercises
• Some sport-specific activities can be started, but it is dependent on having near normal motion and swelling gone in the knee.

Weeks 7-12:

• Light jogging, cycling outdoors, and pool workouts.
• Side-to-side, pivoting sports — such as basketball, soccer and football — must be avoided.

Toward the end of this phase, some athletes can begin shuttle runs, lateral shuttles and jumping rope.

Months 4-7:

Continued progression with sports specific activities. This phase of rehabilitation is often the most difficult, because patients may have a knee that “feels” normal, but is not ready for the stresses of some sport activities.

Emphasis of rehabilitation should be on sport simulating activities.

• Figure-of-eight drills and plyometrics, and over time will include sport drills. For example, a tennis player may start light hitting, a soccer player some controlled dribbling, etc.

Weightbearing Status

• 0-2 weeks: Touch down weight bearing with two crutches
• 2-4 weeks: Partial weight bearing
• 4-6 weeks: Weight bearing as tolerated

Return to Sports:

Deciding when to return to unrestricted sports activities depends on a number of factors:

• Functional Progression
  The decision to return to sports must be based on each individual’s progression through their therapy.
• Graft Type
  Some surgeons may delay return to sports if the graft used came from a donor. These grafts are sterilized and frozen, there is a belief that they take longer to heal well inside the patient.

*Based upon these guidelines, which differ from surgeon to surgeon, it is apparent that progression is slow, and return to sport and activity is 7 months, at a MINIMUM.