| Phase | Time Frame | Goals & Objectives | Exercises & Activities |
|---|---|---|---|
| Phase 1 | Weeks 1-2 | Primary Focus: Reduce swelling, manage pain, and begin mobility exercises. | – Swelling Reduction: Elevation and cold compression. – Wound Care: Clean wound once a week; stitches removed around week 2. – Protection and Fall Precaution: Knee brace, crutches. – Extension Exercises: Sitting, supine, prone hanging. – Flexion Exercises: Heel slides, sitting with gravity (up to 90°). – Hip and Thigh Exercises: Isometric quadriceps, straight leg raises, hip abduction. |
| Phase 2 | Weeks 3-6 | Primary Focus: Progress toward full extension and flexion, strengthen the quadriceps, and begin low-impact aerobic activities. | – Knee Brace: Continue until week 6. – Wean Off Crutches: Gradually reduce use. – Knee Cap Mobilization: Begin mobilizing the knee cap. – Full Extension: Achieve full knee extension. – Flexion: Increase flexion to 120°. – Stretching: Hamstring and calf stretches. – Strengthening: Semi-squats, quadriceps curls (5-7 kg), 20 reps, 5 sets per day. – Bike: Stationary bike (no or low resistance). |
| Phase 3 | Weeks 7-12 | Primary Focus: Strengthen muscles, improve gait, and restore function. | – Full Flexion: Achieve full flexion. – Walking Gait: Restore normal walking. – Strength Training: – Begin and end with stretching. – Gradually increase resistance with slow, controlled movements. – Avoid sudden directional changes. – Prohibited Activities: Running, jumping, impact sports, leg lunges. |
| Phase 4 | Weeks 13-16 | Primary Focus: Increase strength, add aerobic activity, and introduce sport-specific training. | – Strengthening: Progressively increase intensity. – Aerobic Exercise (with surgeon’s approval): Begin jogging and swimming. – Sport-Specific Training: Introduce sport-specific movements. |
| Phase 5 | Weeks 17-20 | Primary Focus: Continue to build strength, endurance, and readiness for sports. | – Strength and Endurance: Continue strengthening and endurance exercises. – Sport-Specific Training: Maintain and refine skills for sport-specific movements. |
| Phase 6 | Weeks 21-36 | Primary Focus: Achieve nearly normal strength and endurance, prepare for return to sports. | – Normal/ Nearly Normal Strength: Achieve strength and endurance comparable to pre-injury levels. – Return to Sports: Based on knee stability, flexibility, and strength. – Football: Return recommended after week 36. |
The post-operative program after ACL reconstruction
