Following an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction your recovery can take approximately nine months, especially if you intend to return to a sport. The exercise stages may vary if other treatments have been undertaken during the knee surgery (e.g. meniscal (cartilage) repair, micro-fracture, or reconstruction of other ligaments).

Your rehab requires a lot of dedication and patience to achieve optimum results. It is important that you follow the advice given as the exercises prescribed are specifically related to the stage of healing. Even if your knee feels like you could do more, the graft may not be ready.

Some ideas about rehab after ACL reconstruction are contentious, so the exercises listed below are guidelines for each time period, but they are commonly accepted by a large number of knee surgeons.

0-2 Weeks

Co-Contractions

Half Squats

Dips

Non-Resistance Cycling

Calf Raises

Gait Training (Mini Hurdles)

2-6 Weeks

Half Squats (Increase Load)

Dips (Increase Load)

Step Machine

Theraband (Abduction/Adduction/Glutes/Hamstring)

Leg Press

6-12 Weeks

Trampette

Rope Walking

Light Jogging

Lunges