ACL Tear & Reconstruction Rehabilitation

The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the key stabilizing ligaments of the knee, and tears are among the most common sports injuries. Whether you choose surgical reconstruction or conservative management, physical therapy is essential for a successful recovery and safe return to activity.

Causes & Risk Factors

ACL tears most commonly occur during sports that involve sudden stops, direction changes, or landing from jumps. Football, soccer, basketball, and skiing carry the highest risk. Female athletes are 2-8 times more likely to sustain an ACL tear than their male counterparts, likely due to differences in anatomy, muscle strength, and neuromuscular control.

Rehabilitation Phases

• Phase 1 (Weeks 0-2): Reduce swelling, restore knee extension, begin gentle range-of-motion exercises
• Phase 2 (Weeks 2-6): Progressive strengthening, balance training, stationary cycling
• Phase 3 (Weeks 6-12): Advanced strengthening, agility exercises, sport-specific drills
• Phase 4 (Months 3-6): Running progression, plyometrics, return-to-sport preparation
• Phase 5 (Months 6-9+): Return-to-sport testing and sport-specific training

Return-to-Sport Criteria

At Summit, we use objective, evidence-based criteria to determine when an athlete is ready to return to competition. This includes quadriceps strength testing, hop testing, functional movement assessment, and psychological readiness evaluation.