In 2012, National Football League running back Adrian Peterson returned from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear in his knee to have the best season of his career. His amazing recovery shows how far ACL treatment has progressed over the last decade and gives many athletes hope that they too can make full recoveries after ACL surgery.
The ACL connects the upper and lower leg bones. The sports most frequently implicated in ACL tears—football, skiing, basketball, gymnastics and soccer—require frequent twists of the knee, shifts in weight between one leg and the other, or high-speed stops and starts. Because ACL strength is a necessity in these sports, a quick return to practice and competition after surgery to repair an ACL tear is often not practical.
Before surgery, physical therapy can prepare the knee for surgery. The more strength, mobility and the better your body’s sense of position in space before surgery, the fuller your range of motion afterward.
How long before you can return to sports following ACL surgery? In most cases, you should expect to wait at least six to twelve months to return to full physical activity.
Structured physical therapy will begin two to ten days postsurgery and will include the following:
Advances in treatment have been impressive, but recovery from ACL injury is still a long, slow process. A rush to return to full activity can be dangerous and career ending in itself. Whether you are anticipating surgery or recovering from it, we can design an exercise program that will help you return to full physical activity as quickly as possible.
Apex Orthopedic Rehabilitation in Paramus, NJ provides orthopedic and sports physical therapy services for the greater Ridgewood, Paramus, and Bergen County region. This blog is intended for informational purposes only and should not be used for diagnostic or prescriptive purposes. The views expressed here are the author’s views and should be taken as suggestions. Always consult your doctor or healthcare practitioner before engaging in a physical therapy or rehabilitative program.