WHAT TO EXPECT AFTER ACL SURGERY
physiotherapists can help you move freely once again!
The anterior cruciate ligament is one of the ligaments in the knee joint. Ligaments are a tough band of tissue that attach one bone to the next. The ACL connects the bottom of the thigh bone to the top of the shinbone. The primary function of the ACL is to help keep the knee stable. When the anterior cruciate ligament tears, it typically happens from a sudden stop, twist, or change in motion. Often a torn ACL leads to significant swelling, loss of motion, and it may make you feel as if you can’t put any weight on your leg at all. This ligament is crucial to how the knee functions with everyday activities and advanced sports participation. Post-surgical rehabilitation is essential for your recovery and return to everyday life. Rehabilitation following ACL reconstructive surgery typically requires approximately 6-9 months for normal daily activities and at least a year for safe return to sports. Extensive physiotherapy and hard work are the cornerstones to a successful outcome. We understand that this can be physically, mentally, and emotionally challenging for an individual. There are a lot of ups and downs to the rehab process. For some, the struggle is being sidelined for as long as a year. For others, it is the physical grind to recover your pre-injury abilities. At The Physiotherapy Center LTD., we will work hard to make your rehabilitation process as smooth as possible, so you can get back to playing the sport you love.
Once we have gathered this information, our therapists will develop a comprehensive program that includes targeted manual techniques, mobility work, strengthening, and any appropriate pain relief technique for the early stages of recovery. The second phase of your rehabilitation will progress your strength and dynamic stability to restore function and prevent injuries. We will also incorporate balance and coordination exercises to stimulate the nervous system and help ensure your knee can tolerate stopping and changing directions. We will teach you how to jump and land in the correct positions to avoid an injury in the future. Your physiotherapist will then incorporate activity and sport- specific treatments with a “return to activity/sport” progression to assist you in a safe return to training and sports participation. Our goal is to achieve optimal and symmetrical movement quality.
What to expect with post-surgical physiotherapy
Establishing clear task-based progressions will provide structure and motivation for your rehabilitation after ACL surgery. Our team of physiotherapists is experts at designing evidence-based programs founded on principles of success! We will start with a post-surgical evaluation to identify all the factors contributing to your current level of impairment and dysfunction. This will consist of a thorough history to understand more about your typical training/exercise schedule, the demands on the body, and your overall health status.
Our progressions are based on:
1. Respecting your joint
2. The strength of your entire lower extremity and core
3. Your movement quality
4. Your overall tolerance to exercise.
Call Today: (345) 943-8700
Don’t let your ACL injury hinder your life or take you out of the game for good - regain your function and get back to the sport you love with physiotherapy!
Made with FlippingBook Converter PDF to HTML5