Why Expert Rehabilitation Matters
- Over 250,000 ACL injuries occur each year
- 70% of all ACL injuries are classified as non contact
- Females are 6-8 times more likely to tear their ACL than males
- Higher risk sports include basketball, football, soccer, skiing and gymnastics
- Surgeons perform over 100,000 ACL reconstructions each year
- Return times range from 9-12 months depending on sport and PT programs
What to Expect From Physical Therapy After ACL Surgery
- Physical Therapy after ACL reconstruction should begin within 1-2 days
- Initial goals include improving pain, swelling, and range of motion
- Subsequent phases of rehabilitation focus on restoring strength, neuromuscular control, normalizing biomechanics, and jumping.
- Final phases of rehabilitation focus on strength training, power, endurance, and sport specific training.
- Return to sport training is one of the critical phases for all athletes.
Return-to-Sport Training After ACL Reconstruction
- Return to sport training often begins around 4 months post op
- Athletes are progressively challenged to meet the demands of their sport
- Customized strength training, plyometrics, and agility training programs
- Programs are designed to meet return to sport criteria
How Return-to-Sport Decisions Are Made After ACL Surgery
Returning to sport moves through three general phases
- Return to participation
- Return to competition
- Return to performance
Decision making on return to sport is collaborative with your surgeon.
Common criteria include
- Dynamometry testing for strength symmetry
- Vertical, horizontal, and lateral jump testing
- Psychological readiness with the ACL-RSI
- No signs or symptoms of pain, inflammation, or instability
ACL Injury Prevention Programs: Evidence-Based Training That Works
- Medical evidence supports the utilize of ACL injury prevention programs
- Programs have been shown to reduce ACL injury by up to 70%
- Focusing on strength training, biomechanics, plyometrics and sport specific training
- 2-3 sessions per week are indicated based on sport and training volume
