What Are the ACL Physical Therapy Protocol Stages?

ACL Physical Therapy Protocol

The ACL physical therapy protocol is a meticulously designed program that aims to guide patients through the stages of recovery after an ACL injury or surgery. It focuses on reducing pain, restoring function, and gradually reintroducing strength and agility exercises to safely return to sports.

Whether you’re a professional or a recreational athlete, tearing your ACL can be a significant setback. However, with a structured ACL physical therapy protocol, you can recover effectively and return to your sport more vital than ever. If you’re recovering from an ACL injury and need professional guidance, contact Motion Physical Therapy today to start your personalized ACL physical therapy protocol.

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The ACL Physical Therapy Protocol Stages

The ACL physical therapy protocol has several stages, each with specific goals and exercises. Here’s a comprehensive look at each stage.

• Acute Phase (0-2 Weeks Post-Surgery)

In the acute phase, the primary focus is managing pain and inflammation. It is achieved through rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Physical therapists also start gentle passive range of motion exercises to prevent stiffness and maintain some movement in the knee joint. Exercises like quadriceps setting and heel slides encourage muscle activation, particularly of the quadriceps.

• Early Rehabilitation Phase (2-6 Weeks Post-Surgery)

During the early rehabilitation phase, the focus shifts to achieving full knee extension and continuing to manage pain and swelling. Patients begin more active exercises, such as straight leg raises and partial squats, to improve quadriceps strength. Weight-bearing activities are gradually introduced to aid in the transition to standard walking patterns.

• Intermediate Rehabilitation Phase (6-12 Weeks Post-Surgery)

In the intermediate phase, the primary goals are normalizing the gait pattern and significantly increasing strength and endurance. Closed kinetic chain exercises are introduced, such as leg presses and step-ups. Balance and proprioception exercises are emphasized to enhance neuromuscular control. Activities like stationary cycling with resistance and hip exercises also form a core part of this phase.

• Advanced Rehabilitation Phase (3-6 Months Post-Surgery)

The advanced phase focuses on restoring muscular strength and endurance to pre-injury levels, improving agility and coordination, and preparing for a return to sport. Plyometric exercises, such as jump squats and box jumps, are introduced to enhance explosive strength. Agility drills and sport-specific exercises are incorporated to mimic the demands of the athlete’s particular sport.

• Return to Sport Phase (6-12 Months Post-Surgery)

The final phase is where the athlete is ready to return to their sport safely. Functional sports testing, such as single-leg hop tests and agility tests, are conducted to evaluate readiness. High-intensity interval training continued plyometric and agility drills, and sport-specific practice sessions help athletes regain confidence and physical readiness.

The ACL Physical Therapy Protocol Exercises (After Surgery)

Physical treatment will begin immediately following ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery. ACL physical therapy protocol is essential to the outcome of your procedure. To increase your muscle strength and range of movement, your Motion Physical Therapy therapist will suggest specialized exercises for ACL physical therapy protocol. Increasing the resistance as you go through ACL rehabilitation aids your complete recovery. To help the effectiveness of your operation, start these exercises as soon as possible after your recovery.

• Quadriceps Contractions

Tighten your quadriceps while lying flat, keeping your knee straight until the back of your knee presses against the bed. Release after ten seconds of holding. Repeat three to four times a day, ten times. This workout will strengthen your quadriceps, a major muscle group that governs leg mobility. Additionally, it aids in achieving a straight leg position.

• Straight Leg Raises

Straighten your leg and raise it off the bed while lying on your back. Initially, you can straighten your leg without raising it while supporting your ankle with a towel roll or another support. As you advance, you will raise your leg straight up into the air about 12 inches. After a few seconds of holding it there, carefully lower it. You can do this ten times.

• Heel Slides

Place your foot flat on the bed and glide it up toward your buttocks. You want to bend your knee while keeping your heel on the bed. Refrain from rolling your knee inward or outward. After bending your knee as much as you can, hold it there for ten seconds before carefully slipping your foot back out. Do the bend twenty times in three or four sessions each day. That facilitates a range of motion.

• Patellar Mobilizations

Stretch your leg out before you while seated on the floor or bed. Place a hand on each side of the kneecap. Move your kneecap gently up, down, and side to side. Hold each direction for two seconds, then keep going for a minute. Repeat this three or four times a day. Your kneecap slides should neutrally without tilting or tipping in one way. This exercise maintains your kneecap mobile and helps avoid scar tissue formation.

• Seated Knee Flexion

Allow your leg to drop when seated on a table, chair, or bed’s edge. Using your ankle as support, progressively straighten the leg that is not involved. Then, bend your leg as much as you can by lowering it gradually. Hold for ten seconds, then repeat ten times. This workout can be done three or four times a day. You won’t have to utilize your uninvolved leg as you gain strength.