ACCELERATED REHABILITATION OF PATIENTS FOLLOWING ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT RECONSTRUCTION

Warren King, M.D.

Arthur Ting, M.D.

Day 1 - 3 1. CPM 0 - 60 degrees, advance to 0 - 110 as comfort allows.

2. Ad/abduction, extension straight leg raises (SLR).

3. Weight bearing as tolerated in knee immobilizer.

4. Knee extensions (Heel on pillow, prone stretches.

 

Day 3 - 14 1. Home CPM until 110 degrees achieved.

2. Hamstring curls.

3. Weight bearing as tolerated in knee immobilizer.

4. Extensions (Prone hangs with 2 pound weight if not full, towel extensions, wall slides).

5. Active-Assisted Flexion.

6. Strengthening: Single-Leg knee bends, step-ups, calf raises.

 

Week 2 - 4 1. Discontinue home CPM.

2. Place custom knee brace.

3. Add stationary bicycle, Stairmaster, leg press, quarter squats.

 

Week 4 - 8 1. Add swimming, cycling, jump rope, jogging.

 

Week 8 - 10 1. Isokinetic evaluation with 20 degree extension block.

 

Week 10 - 16 1. Add sport specific activities, agility drills.

 

Week 16 1. Isokinetic evaluation full range at 60, 180, and 240 degrees. If 90% of non-operative side with no pain or effusion, may return to sports with custom brace for first year following surgery.