Anterior Cruciate Ligament 

Week 1

 

• Remove silver lining and post surgical bandages

• Inititation of standing and walking with assistance 

• Active range of motion using heel slides

• Active quadraceps activation, gluteal acivation 

• Balance and proprioception exercises barefoot

• Light stretching of Hamstrings, Quadraceps and Gastroc/Soleus (calf muscles)

• Soft tissue mobilization to Hamstrings, Quadraceps and Gastroc/Soleus

• Begin home exercise program

• Example exercises 

  • Single leg stance, heel slides, short arc quad, hip hinging, toe touches

 

Weeks 2 - 4

• Active assisted range of motion into flexion and extension 

• Cross friction massage to scars and adhesion tissue 

• Training on proper hip hinging and squating (stand to sit) 

• Stationary bike, Elipitcal

• Step up and step down training 

• Assisted walking without brace 

• Resisted band muscle activation and strengthening

• Most exercises done in standing in sagital plane (front to back)

• Example Exercises 

  • Knee Extension, ball wall squats, bridging, TRX training, Power Plate squat holds

 

Weeks 4 - 6

• Establish full range of motion - 0°extension and 130-135° flexion 

• Weighted exercises

• Incorporate full kinetic chain activation / Dynamic exercise

• Stair master / stair climber 

• Introduction of frontal plane movement (lateral movement)

• Example Exercises

  • Lateral step up, single leg squats (assisted), monster walks with resistence, side planks, 

 

Weeks 6 - 8

• Introduce transvere plane motion (rotational) - only done in office

• Jogging with brace

• overall advancements in exercise (resistance and weight)