ACL Rehabilitation

An anterior cruciate ligament rupture will typically keep you sidelined from sport for around 9 months. The research suggests that each additional month of delay in resuming sports activities following an ACL reconstruction may decrease the risk of re-rupture by approximately 50% up to the 9 month mark.

If you have recently injured your ACL you are going to be spending a lot of time with a physio to ensure you recovery fully and return to your beloved sport or activity with minimal risk of re rupture.

Week 0-6

The initial 6 weeks post surgery is all about getting your knee dry of swelling, restoring full flexion and extension and ensuring you can fully activate your quad.

From week 2-6 we recommend 1 weekly 45 minute appointment. In some cases, we advise coming more often if we feel that recovery is slow, but with adherence to home management strategies, one weekly session usually suffices.

• Individual 45 minute appointment = £65

Week 6-18

This is where the hard really work starts. Throughout these 3 months you will be progressing through a strength program, learning to jump again, jogging, sprinting and starting to turn at speed.

You will be expected to complete your rehab program a minimum of three times a week and each session will last around 60 minutes.

There are a few options as to how we can work with you throughout this phase and the decision is very much based on how much input we think you need, how familiar you are in a gym, your own personal preference and budget and how quickly you want to move through your rehab.

Most people during this phase will have a weekly 1-1 rehab session for 12 weeks and alongside this complete 2 independant sessions their own gym. For those that want or need more input will have 2-3, 1-1 rehab sessions, and for those that want to keep the price down and are happy to progress at a slower pace may have a 1-1 rehab session every 2-3 weeks. Our commitment is to provide high-quality care that not only delivers the outcome you desire but also considers your financial considerations.

We do have rehabilitation packages that can be purchased for 6,12 and 18 sessions which provides you with discounted sessions, discounts on any of our specialist services, nutritional support and much more.

After undergoing ACL surgery, the typical timeframe for returning to sports is around 9 months. This, however, is contingent on meeting specific exit tests that are tailored to the demands of your particular sport.

Our approach emphasises a comprehensive rehabilitation journey, ensuring that you not only recover from the surgery but also achieve sport-specific milestones that guarantee a safe and effective return to your athletic pursuits.

Our team will work very closely with you, customising rehabilitation programs to address the unique requirements of your sport, and guide you through the necessary steps to resume activities with confidence and optimal performance.

Ultimately there is not a one size fits all answer and the choice between a patellar tendon graft and a hamstring tendon graft for ACL reconstruction is a decision that should be made based on individual factors, the specific needs of the patient and surgeons recommendation.

Patellar tendon grafts are known for their strength and stability. This can be advantageous for individuals who engage in high-demand activities or sports that involve cutting, pivoting, and jumping. However, there is a potential for anterior knee pain post surgery. Hamstring grafts have a smaller incision and tend to avoid anterior knee pain.

At Sharp Physiotherapy, we have extensive experience in rehabilitating both patellar tendon and hamstring tendon grafts for ACL reconstruction. We have found that the success of rehabilitation and outcomes for patients do not show a significant difference between the two graft types.