This article should take about 3 minutes to read.
ACL injury is not a judgment. Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is one of the most challenging injuries in sports - for both professionals and amateurs. Treatment and rehabilitation can take months, and getting back to your former form requires patience and a well laid out plan.
The good news? Getting back to full fitness and your favorite activity is possible - as long as you approach it wisely.
- What happens in an ACL injury?
- Steps of rehabilitation - step by step
- Rules for a safe return to traffic
- Why physiotherapist is your guide
- When can you return to sports?
- How to avoid re-injury?
In this article, we share tips that we use every day in the Profizjoclinic. We'll show you what the rehabilitation process is like after an ACL, the stages of returning to sports, what to look out for to avoid a recurrence of the injury, and what tests you need to pass before you're back on the field, on the slopes or in the gym.
What happens in an ACL injury?
ACL stabilizes the knee, especially in moments of sudden change of direction or turning. Rupture most often occurs in sports such as soccer, skiing, basketball or combat sports. Typical symptoms include sudden, sharp pain, a feeling of the knee „escaping”, instability and swelling.
Treatment can be conservative or surgical (ligament reconstruction), but in both cases systematic rehabilitation is key.
Steps of rehabilitation - step by step
The rehabilitation process after an injury or ACL reconstruction can be divided into four main phases:
- Early phase (0-6 weeks) -. pain reduction and swelling, regaining full knee extension, activating the quadriceps muscle.
- Intermediate phase (6-12 weeks) - building strength, balance and coordination exercises.
- Advanced phase (3-6 months) - dynamic training, preparation for a specific discipline.
- Return to sport phase (6-9+ months) - functional tests, neuromotor training and work on mental readiness.
Each stage is individual - the pace of moving on should be based on your progress, not the passage of time itself.
Rules for a safe return to traffic
Time is not everything - 6 months is the average, but each body regenerates at its own pace.
- Return to sport tests - check leg strength, jumping ability, stability and movement control.
- Muscle symmetry - a difference in strength between the legs of more than 10 - 15% increases the risk of subsequent injury.
- The whole body works on the knee - the hips, torso and feet must also be in shape.
- Psychology matters - fear of movement can limit progress.
Why a physiotherapist is your guide
A good physiotherapist will not only show exercises. He or she is a person who:
- mentally supports and explains every step so that you feel more confident.
- monitors your progress and adjusts the plan,
- Helps to implement training into daily life,
- teaches prevention,
When can you return to sports?
This is a decision you should make together with a specialist - only after you meet all the criteria:
- No pain or swelling,
- full range of motion in the knee,
- strength similar to a healthy leg,
- Good results of stability and jump tests,
- Mental readiness and lack of fear of effort.
On average, it takes 9-12 months, but sometimes longer, and it is important to remember that rushing increases the risk of recurrence.
How to avoid re-injury?
Even after returning to sports, take care of your knee:
- Consult a physiotherapist from time to time.
- Practice strength and stability regularly,
- Always do a decent warm-up,
- keep an eye on your movement technique,
- control the load,
Return to activity after ACL injury It requires patience, a plan and cooperation with an experienced team. At Profizjoclinic, we focus on a personalized approach, state-of-the-art methods and safety - so that you return to your sport stronger and more confident than before your injury.
Find out how we can help you
Call, send an inquiry or schedule an appointment online!