04/11/2025
📃The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is a key stabiliser of the knee, and injuries often occur during twisting movements or sudden stops, especially in sports like football, rugby, or skiing.
😐Injury typically presents in stages, starting with the initial trauma and inflammation, followed by a subacute phase where pain, swelling, and instability may persist.
🔑Early management involves controlling swelling, restoring the knee's range of motion, and regaining muscle strength. Most people are encouraged to regain full extension and walking ability as soon as possible.
📈Rehabilitation progresses through several phases: initially focusing on pain, swelling and mobility, then advancing to muscle strengthening and controlled movement. Later phases introduce more dynamic tasks such as running, jumping, and agility drills. The final stage prepares you for a safe return to sport and everyday activities.
🎯Professional guidance throughout helps to optimise movement patterns and prevent compensation that could lead to future problems.
😷 If surgery is needed—most commonly ACL reconstruction—you’ll undergo a procedure to replace the damaged ligament with a graft, often taken from your own body.
📈 After surgery, recovery is structured in stages, beginning with gentle movement and weight bearing, typically with crutches for the first few weeks. Physiotherapy is essential, targeting pain relief, mobility, and strength. As you progress, rehab incorporates balance, coordination, and sport-specific training.
🕐Full recovery usually takes between nine and twelve months, but timelines vary based on individual goals, surgery type, and commitment to rehabilitation. Finishing the rehabilitation programme is crucial, especially the last phases, which help prevent re-injury and maximise your return to sport.
Every person’s ACL rehab journey is unique.
With expert guidance and a structured approach, you can look forward to regaining confidence, strength, and function in your knee. Ready to start your ACL rehab journey? 🏃♀️
Contact Wayne Cooper, FHT Registered Musculoskeletal Holistic Therapist, on
☎️07719 227728 for a personalised plan and expert support.