Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Rehabilitation

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are common in many sports and can be devastating or even career-ending for athletes if not managed correctly. A well-structured and progressive rehabilitation program plays a crucial role in successful recovery and in preventing future complications.

At Dr. Aksay’s Sports Rehabilitation Clinic, we emphasize accurate assessment and evidence-based ACL rehabilitation protocols to help patients regain strength, stability, and confidence.

Pre-Operative ACL Rehabilitation

A small percentage of patients with ACL injuries may be suitable for non-operative management. Rehabilitation concepts for operative and non-operative ACL injuries are similar; however, non-operative treatment places greater emphasis on neuromuscular training to restore knee stability and function.

Our Aims in ACL Rehabilitation

• Strengthening weak supporting and assisting muscles

• Gait training and movement correction

• Balance and proprioception training

• Achieving functional independence

Post-Operative ACL Rehabilitation

Post-surgical rehabilitation is carefully progressed in stages to ensure safe healing and optimal performance.

Our post-operative protocol includes:

• Restoring full active and passive ROM without pain

• Use of bracing in the acute phase to prevent re-injury (as required)

• Early weight-bearing to promote healing and joint homeostasis

• Stationary cycling

• Progressive resistance and weight-bearing strength training

• Coordination, balance, and proprioception training

• Flexibility protocols

• Gradual return-to-sports conditioning

Return to Sports Criteria

Before returning to sports, the following benchmarks are assessed:

• Ability to run continuously for 20 minutes

• Back squat / leg press performance

• Balance testing

• Quadriceps girth within 1 cm of the opposite leg

• Optimal hamstring-to-quadriceps strength ratio

• Single-leg drop and control tests

At Dr. Aksay’s Sports Rehabilitation Clinic, we conduct a thorough knee assessment to understand your injury in detail. This allows us to design a customized exercise and rehabilitation program that not only relieves pain but also prevents recurrence and supports long-term athletic performance.