Immediately after ACL surgery, patients begin a rehabilitation program. Patients are sent home with a set of exercises to work on the beginning stages of knee mobilization. Crutches are also used for 7-10 days following surgery, with use decreasing as the patient can tolerate more weight-bearing on the injured leg.
Physical Therapy (PT)
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The length of physical therapy depends on the age and fitness of the individual, the extent of the injury, and how the patient progresses. Some programs, especially for young athletes, use an accelerated program that can be as short as eight weeks.
What are the goals of PT?
Below several common exercises for ACL rehabilitation are shown. Patients may perform these daily.
What are the goals of PT?
- restoration of joint anatomy
- provision of static and dynamic stability
- maintenance of aerobic fitness and psychological well-being
- early return to work/sport
- Source: http://www.sportsci.org/encyc/aclinj/aclinj.html
- examining the patient's history, functional mobility, gait, palpation, range of motion (ROM), strength, amount of swelling, balance, proprioception, and other specific tests. http://physicaltherapy.about.com/od/sportsinjuries/fl/Physical-Therapy-after-an-ACL-Tear.htm
- range of motion, weight-bearing, strengthening of quads/hamstrings/hips, core. At about months 4-6, light jogging is usually introduced, as are plyometrics and some sport-specific motions. Most patients return to play within 7-9 months post-surgery.
Below several common exercises for ACL rehabilitation are shown. Patients may perform these daily.