HOW TO BOOST ACL REHAB AFTER ACL SURGERY
The ACL or anterior cruciate ligament, is an important ligament in your knee that is commonly injured. It prevents your shin bone from sliding forward from your thigh bone. It also provides stability for rotational movements.
The mechanism of injury is usually a cutting movement or changing direction suddenly that over-stresses the knee through too much rotation and high forces (a common cause in sports like football) or landing from a jump incorrectly.
If, after discussions with your doctor, surgery is deemed the most appropriate treatment for your ACL tear, then it is essential that you commit to a period of rehabilitation afterwards. Rehabilitation starts immediately after Surgery.
Post-operative rehabilitation and change in protocol time to time also utmost important to gain normal strength of muscles around knee and movements of knee after ACL surgery.
Phases
1: Acute Post-Op Care: decreasing pain, swelling and preventing infections setting in.
2: Acute Management: regain early movement and strength (2-4 weeks post op)
3: Foundation Rehab: basic strength, balance and muscle control (4-16 weeks post op)
4: Higher level: strength, dynamic drills and co-ordination (16-28 weeks post op)
5: Sports specific training and preparation for return to play (28 weeks post op onwards)
ACUTE POST-OP CARE
Post-surgery, the first week is to reduce pain and inflammation. This involves icing and elevation.
Gentle knee mobilization is done. It could be passive or active assisted depending on the patient and his surgery.
Patellar mobilization is started.
Knee brace can be suggested for initial couple of days.
Walker may be used as assistance for walking.
Isometric quadriceps and hamstring strengthening is begun.
Four weeks post op we are aiming at,
Minimum 90degrees of knee flexion with complete extension.
Good hamstring and quadriceps strength.
Reduced knee brace use ONLY WHILE WALKING
Independent walking without any assistance.
Strengthening exercises with increased weights and bands depending on the recovery of the patient.
Independent stepping up and down the stairs.
Better balance.
After 6 TO 8 weeks
- Static Cycling
- Half Squatting
- Exercises with weight around 1 kg
12 to 16 weeks;
- Aim to get the near normal knee
- Walking without brace
- Lunches
- Jogging
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