Returning to Sports Following ACL Surgery
Multiple factors affect the length of time it takes for an individual to recover from ACL surgery and return to their active lifestyle or sport. These factors include his or her age, the type and level of sport he or she participates in (amateur or professional).
According to the study Return to Basketball and Soccer After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in Competitive …show more content…
Physical therapy allows a therapist to help an athlete build stability through coordinated movements. Working with a physical therapist ensures that the exercises being performed are strengthening the muscles that surround the knee joint. Since athletes are usually eager to return to their sport, they may actually overdo their physically therapy exercises. An athlete who strengthens the quadriceps muscles too much, too soon during the healing process can cause the graft to stretch; thus, negatively affecting his or her progress.
A physical therapist has the experience and skills necessary to find the right balance between activity and rest: Both of which play an important role in the recovery process. Physical therapy helps predict the risk of an athlete reinjuring himself or herself; furthermore, it allows the athlete to get as close to his or her former level of performance as possible. Physical rehabilitation can take anywhere from 4 to 24 months, depending on the athlete.
Dr. Anz Uses a ‘Sports Test’ to Determine When Athletes Are Physically Ready to Return to Full