ACL Rehabilitation Programme

 Here is an ACL Rehabilitation Programme guide that you can follow to help you manage your rehabilitation effectively. Having your ACL repaired is a big operation but the work begins following the reconstruction.Its always best to work with a physiotherapist and use this information as a guide.

2 weeks

AIMS

• Reduce Swelling – Cryo cuff or similar product
• Exercises little and often 5-10min every hour
• Walking normally with crutches
• Full extension and start working on Flexion

Stage II –

2 to 6 weeks

AIMS

• Swelling control- keep icing
• Come off crutches
• Normal walking and get the knee used to a normal day
• Weight bearing through that leg
• Keep working on extension and flexion.
• Start conditioning work- Static bike or swim (not breaststroke)
• Movement patterns for squats, step ups, standing on one leg, strengthen hamstring.
• Start Core work.

Stage III –

6 to 12 weeks

AIMS

• Strength phase work on movement patterns developed in Stage II and increase resistance
• Swelling monitor post exercise.
• Work on strengthening Hamstring, Quads and Calf
• Start gentle stretching.
• Increase balance work – 1 leg balance
• Slow Drills lateral steps/step up/down.
• Increase conditioning work on the bike so more resistance and building a cardio workout.
• 2-3 x strength sessions per week
• 2-3x conditioning session
• Daily balance and flexion/extension work Full ROM

Stage IV –

3 to 6months

AIMS

• Start running
• Agility programme
• Plyometric work sport specific – box jumps/ hopping/ skipping/ landing work
• Start turns/ cutting/ speed work
• 2-3 strength sessions building bulk – power
• 2-3 x conditioning work
• Balance progressed
• Core progressed
• Reactive work
• Warm up Drills daily

EXERCISES

Landing competence
Single leg landing
Multi- directional work
Sled drills lateral stability
Med ball over head

Stage V

6 to 9 months

AIMS

• Start non-contact training
• Agility work to continue
• Plyowork
• Strength and power final stage
• Return to sport
• Symmetrical strength
• Drop jumps
• High speed running
• Cutting
• Tackling

Prevention work x2 per week

Landing
Turning with a planted foot
Tackles

AIMS

• Core strength to control trunk on leg
• Leg strength Hamstring/ quads/ glute then power into fast feet
• Lunge Drills
• Landing competence
• Balance and Single leg perturbance (med ball throws)
• Running Drills and turning
• Lateral strength with sled work

References