Name: ACL Reconstruction Rehab Protocol in Austin, TX – ATX Orthopedics
Creator: ATX Orthopedics
Published: 2023-03-20T19:50:43+00:00

This ACL rehab protocol from ATX Orthopedics in Austin, TX is designed to guide patients through every phase of recovery after ACL reconstruction surgery — from initial healing through return to sport.

ACL Reconstruction Rehab Protocol — ATX Orthopedics, Austin, TX

Following ACL reconstruction surgery, a structured rehabilitation protocol is essential to restoring full strength, stability, and return-to-sport function. At ATX Orthopedics in Austin, TX, Dr. Sean Gallagher, MD provides a comprehensive, phase-based rehabilitation protocol for patients following ACL reconstruction — including his preferred technique of remnant-sparing ACL reconstruction using allograft tissue. The protocol below reflects the recovery milestones and physical therapy guidelines used at ATX Orthopedics for most ACL reconstruction patients.

Week 0-6:

1st postop visit 10-14 days postop – wound check – no sutures or staples to take out – all are dissolvable. usually we get PT setup now if patients are ‘guarding’ their knee.

1. Aggressive swelling management: ICE, ELEVATION, NSAID therapy.

2. No resistance exercises. Active ROM only: walking, stationary bike, bending and straightening.

3. Ween crutches when not limping.

2nd postop visit 5-6 weeks postop – check progress with Range Of Motion (ROM). Goal for 6-8 weeks postop is to have near full ROM. Start formal PT if none started for CLOSED CHAIN RESISTANCE ONLY.

After Week 6:

Closed chain resistance exercises only. ie stationary bike with resistance, squats, leg presses. CLOSED CHAIN means your feet stay attached to a pedal/plate/ground. OPEN CHAIN is running or a lunge etc where feet leave the the closed circuit/chain.

CONTINUE CLOSED CHAIN EXERCISES Until Objective Quad strength measures 90% of contralateral leg – needs to be objectively measured ie how many single leg squats or single leg presses is the non-operative “good” leg able to do compared to the operative leg….no open chain until 90%.

3rd/possible final postop visit – reassess PT progress. Confirm/re-educate on objective measure of strength and timeframes for return to sport

IF Objective quad strength >90% contralateral leg, ok to progress to open chain exercise, ie running. this may be 3-9 months postop.

NO lateralized/cutting/sports until 9-12 months postop AND quad strength recovered 100%. “Ligamentization” takes 9-16 months – you cannot rush the graft incorporation.

*** ACL Reconstruction is one of the most studied/published subjects in orthopedic surgery. There are many techniques for the surgery itself and many protocols for recovery. ***

Written by Sean Gallagher, MD, Board-Certified Orthopedic Surgeon, Fellowship trained in Hip and Knee Total Joint Replacement

Ready to Take the Next Step?

If you have experienced an ACL tear or are evaluating your surgical options, Dr. Sean Gallagher at ATX Orthopedics offers expert evaluation and individualized surgical planning — including remnant-sparing ACL reconstruction with allograft tissue when appropriate. Most ACL reconstructions are performed as same-day outpatient procedures at Pinnacle Surgery Center of Austin. Contact us to schedule a consultation.