ACL: Post-operative rehab

• 0 - 6 weeks:

  • Wound care
  • Swelling management
  • Regaining range of movement - especially extension
  • Normalising gait
  • Basic strengthening
• 6 - 12 weeks:

  • Regain strength
  • Regain neuromuscular control
  • Work towards running
• 12 + weeks:

  • Plyometrics
  • Speed and agility
  • Sports specific exercise
• ACL: Post-operative rehab:

  • 1st 6 weeks - highest risk of bony fixation failure
  • ~ 6 months - Ligamentisation of the graft – most susceptible to rupture while in remodelling phase
• Time taken to ligamentisation of graft:

  • 12 - 18 months for BPTP
  • 18 - 24 months for Hamstring
  • 24 + months for Allograft