Rehabilitation after Arthroscopic ACL Reconstruction is the most important phase of treatment of ACL injuries, perhaps even more important than the surgery itself.
Many a time, patients land up with poor to average results following an excellent surgery due to inadequate rehabilitation.
Dr Firoz Ahmed, the leading Sports Medicine specialist in Guwahati, follows standard rehab protocols developed by World renowned Centres for ACL rehab which he customizes as per the individual patient’s specific conditions.
Following is a general overview of the Rehab Protocol for ACL, which has to be approved and advised by the treating surgeon.
Important Reminder
It is important for the readers to understand and remember that the following advice and exercise examples should be considered as a general patient awareness initiative only. This advice should not be followed blindly and any of the following measures, whether partially or in full, must be undertaken only on the advice of the treating surgeon and under proper guidance. Unsupervised and/ or unguided activities and/ or exercises can result in harm to the patient and we will in no way be held liable for such action.
Phase 1
- Immediately following surgery
- From next day patient can Walk with the help of a Walker
- Long Knee Brace to be worn most of the time
- Exercises to be stared from next day
To do
- Rest
- Ice pack for 5-10 mins 4-5 times a day
- Elevation
- Knee Range of Movement should be around 0-90 degrees at the end of 3 weeks
Exercises
1. Ankle Pumps
2. Patella Mobilization
3. Seated Knee Range
4. Heel Slides with towel
5. Prone Hang
6. Standing Gastroc Stretch
7. Supine Active Hamstring stretch
8. Calf raise
9. Quads sets
10. Straight Leg Raise
Phase 2
- By now, Knee Range of movement should be 0-90 degrees
- Patient should now wear a Hinged Knee Brace
- Walking stick should be used on the opposite hand
- Weight bearing on the affected leg is as tolerated
Exercises
2.1 Stationary Bicycle
2.2 Prone Quads Stretch
2.3 Standing Quads stretch
2.4 Knee Flexor Stretch
2.5 Standing Hamstring curls
2.6 Step ups
2.7 Step Ups with March
2.8 Partial Squats
2.9 Wall Slides
2.10 Bridge
2.11 Clamshell
2.12 Hip Hike
2.13 Lateral Step over
2.14 Single Leg Balance
Phase 3
- Patients can walk without any support
- Hinged Knee Brace can be continued till 8-12 weeks till patient is comfortable
- No stick or walker is needed
- All daily activities are permitted
- Can start driving car
- BUT riding a Bike to to avoided till 4-5 months or so