ACL Rehab is a long journey which need at least 9 – 12 months’ commitment. Progressive high – quality rehab & training is crucial to achieve your desire goal especially for those who want return to sport or complete level of function without compromising the integrity of the surgically reconstructed knee.
In order to achieve this goal, let’s have a look what is the most important goals in each phase of rehabilitation that ACL patients need to know throughout their recovery process.
Pre-Op Phase : Injury Recovery & readiness for surgery
The most important goals ;
- Eliminate swelling
- Regain full range of motion
- Regain 90% strength in the quads and hamstring compared with the other side
Phase 1 : Recovery from surgery
The most important goals :
- Get the straight (full extension)
- Settle down the swelling down to ‘mild’
- Get the quadriceps firing again
Phase 2 : Strength & Neuromuscular control
The most important goals :
- Regain most of your single leg balance
- Regain most of your muscle strength
- Single leg squat with good technique and alignment
Phase 3 : Running, Agility & Landing
The most important goals :
- Attain excellent hopping performance (technique, distances, & endurance)
- Progress successfully through an agility program and modified game play
- Regain full strength and balance
Phase 4 : Return to sport (RTS)
Suggest to allow people back to sport if they have satisfied 3 key criteria:
- Successful completion of the Melbourne Return to Sport Score (>95)
- The athlete is comfortable, confident, and eager to return to sport, as measured by the ACL-RSI and IKDC
- An ACL injury prevention program is discussed, implemented, and continued whilst the athlete is participating in sport. To lower the risk of future injury, evidence supports that injury prevention programs are performed at least 15mins prior to each training session and game.
Phase 5 : Prevention of re – injury
Key components of an injury prevention program
should include:
- Plyometric, balance, and strengthening exercises
- A program performed more than once per week
- A program that continues for at least 6 weeks
It is highly recommended that athletes continue with an ongoing ACL injury prevention program whilst they continue to play sports
Are you ACL patients that need our Physiotherapist help for your ACL recovery? Let’s reach our team for further consultation and advice!
Reference: Melbourne ACL Rehabilitation Guide 2.0 by Authors Randall Cooper and Mick Hughes
Prepared by :
Ain Efahera
Your Physio Penang