October marks Physical Therapy Awareness Month, a time to highlight the critical role physical therapy plays in recovery from injuries and surgeries. For those who have undergone ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) surgery, physical therapy can mean the difference between a successful return to activity and a prolonged, frustrating recovery.
Restoring Strength and Stability
After ACL surgery, the knee joint is often weak and unstable. Physical therapy is crucial for restoring strength to the muscles surrounding the knee, including the quadriceps,hamstrings, and calves. Strengthening these muscles provides the stability necessary to protect the new ligament and prevent further injury. Through a personalized exercise program, physical therapy helps rebuild muscle mass and improve the overall function of the knee.
Regaining Range of Motion
One of the primary goals of physical therapy after ACL surgery is to restore the full range of motion in the knee. Scar tissue and swelling can limit mobility, but with targeted stretching and flexibility exercises, patients gradually regain the ability to fully bend and straighten their knee. This is vital for returning to daily activities and sports.
Preventing Re-Injury
Physical therapy doesn’t just focus on the knee—therapists work to improve overall body mechanics, ensuring that patients move correctly and reduce the risk of re-injury. Balance and proprioception exercises are essential in ACL rehabilitation, enhancing patients' movement awareness and improving their ability to protect the knee during physical activity. This will ensure better stability and reduce the risk of re-injury.
Facilitating a Safe Return to Sports
For athletes, one of the most important aspects of ACL recovery is safely returning to sports. Under the guidance of your surgeon, physical therapists gradually introduce sport-specific exercises and drills that prepare the knee for the demands of athletic activity. This progressive approach helps build confidence and ensures that the knee is strong enough to handle the rigors of competition.
ACL surgeries are among the most common surgeries performed in the US with more than100,000 surgeries being performed every year and rehabilitation for ACL surgery has become more personalized due to improvements in surgical techniques and rehab approaches.1 If you have an ACL injury that might require surgery, Dr. Kai Mithoefer can help. Dr. Mithoefer has extensive experience caring for athletes at all levels and can guide your recovery with a personalized plan designed to restore strength, mobility, and confidence.
AUTHOR: Dr. Kai Mithoefer is board-certified in both Orthopedic Surgery and Orthopedic sports medicine specialist. Dr. Mithoefer is an internationally recognized specialist for complex shoulder and knee injuries with over 15 years of experience with the treatment of sports-related injuries. Dr.Mithoefer practices at Boston Bone and Joint Institute and has published more than 100 scientific articles and book chapters and is a frequent speaker at national and international orthopedic meetings.
Reference:
1. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC9107547
