6 Keys To Rehabilitation After ACL Surgery

4th Dec 2015

Rehabilitation following ACL surgery has evolved significantly over the last 25 years. As the understanding of rehabilitation concepts continue to evolve, the focus has shifted toward functional exercise with proper rehabilitation equipment, which is key in maximizing results following ACL surgery. Here are six keys to the early phases of rehabilitation.

  • Diminish Pain and Inflammation
    • Utilize compression wraps, ice, intermittent compression machines, elevation, ankle pumps, electrical stimulation and refraining from too much activity can all help.
  • Restore Full Knee Extension Motion
    • When pain swelling are present, it is more comfortable to hold your knee in a slightly bent position. Keeping it this way for too long means you run the risk of developing scar tissue. Restoring knee extension immediately after surgery is important because once it gets tight it is often hard to get motion back.
  • Gradually Progress Knee Flexion Motion
    • Although loss of knee flexion doesn’t tend to be as common as loss of extension motion, it does happen and you don’t want to neglect working on flexion.
  • Maintain Patellar Mobility
    • Full patella mobility is required for knee flexion and extension. As the knee is painful, swollen, and difficult to move, scar tissue can form and limit patella mobility.
  • Restore Volitional Quad Control
    • Research suggests that using neuromuscular electrical stimulation on the quad following surgery restores quad strength faster than just regular exercises.
  • Restore Independent Ambulation
    • With pain and swelling addressed, now it is time to focus on getting you moving around without limitations. This part of rehabilitation involves weight bearing exercises.


We offer a wide array of physical therapy equipment and rehabilitation supplies delivered right to your door. Don’t let your ACL surgery keep you down. Call us today and place an order. 

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