ACL Rehab Program
Once the knee has settled following an ACL injury, consistent evidence that we're seeing in the ACL literature from the Delaware-Oslo ACL research team is that the athlete/patient should perform at least 5 weeks of high quality rehabilitation prior to a decision regarding ACLR vs ongoing exercise rehabilitation is made.
Looking at the pre-op ACL program recommended by Eitzen et al 2010, you can see there is quite a handful of exercises that if completed appropriately, safely under the guidance of a physiotherapist, can indeed assist an athlete or patient is making a clear decision about whether or not they feel comfortable with the physical function and capacity of their knee.
Note: The only exception are those ACL tears who also have high grade concomitant injuries such as full thickness cartilage lesions and complex meniscus tears; these extra injuries need a surgical opinion.
Regardless of the eventual treatment pathway chosen, these rehab sessions are certainly not a waste of time and can set the athlete up for future knee health and RTS success; even if it's decided that an ACLR is to be performed (Thoma et al, 2019 & Failla et al 2016).
For those keen on pursuing a non-operative plan; continue these rehab sessions (and progressively build on them) indefinitely.
Credit: https://www.mickhughes.physio/single-post/acl-rehab-program
