Sports
ACL Rehabilitation
A criteria-based programme from surgery through to return to sport.
About this condition
ACL rehabilitation is one of the longest and most structured programmes in physiotherapy — typically nine to twelve months to a full return to pivoting sport.
Progression is based on meeting objective criteria at each stage rather than on time alone, because returning too early meaningfully increases the risk of re-injury.
Common symptoms
- Knee swelling and limited range early on
- Quadriceps weakness and inhibition
- Difficulty with single-leg control
- Apprehension with cutting or pivoting
- Reduced confidence in the knee
Frequent contributors
- Non-contact pivoting and landing injuries
- Contact injuries in sport
- Often combined with meniscal or other injuries
How physiotherapy typically helps
Early range of motion and swelling control
Progressive quadriceps and hamstring strengthening
Single-leg control and landing mechanics
Running progression at appropriate criteria
Return-to-sport testing before clearance
This page is general information. Information on this website is general in nature and is not a substitute for individual assessment, diagnosis or treatment by a qualified healthcare professional.
Not sure which service you need?
Book an assessment and we will tell you honestly what is going on, what will help, and roughly how long it should take.