Shane K. Woolf, MD

Associate Professor of Arthroscopy,

Sports Medicine, and Shoulder Reconstruction

Chief, Sports Medicine

Medical University of South Carolina

Administrative Assistant: M. Annie Justiss

Office: (843) 792-1081 Fax: (843) 792-3674

Post-Operative Protocol for ACL Reconstruction

Phase 1 - Immediate postoperative phase (week 1) – Protection phase

Goals:

  • Restore full passive knee extension
  • Diminish joint swelling and pain
  • Restore patellar mobility
  • Gradually improve knee flexion
  • Re-establish quadriceps control
  • Restore independent ambulation

Postoperative Day (POD) 1

Brace/Immobilizer applied to knee, locked in full extension during ambulation

Weight-bearing - 2 crutches, WBAT

Exercises:

  • Ankle pumps
  • Overpressure into full, passive knee extension
  • Active and passive knee flexion (90º by day 5)
  • Straight leg raises (flexion, abduction, adduction)
  • Quadriceps isometric setting
  • Hamstring stretches
  • Closed kinetic chain exercises: mini squats, weight shifts

Muscle stimulation - use muscle stimulation during active muscle exercises (4–6 hours per day)

Continuous passive motion—as needed, 0º to 45º/50º (as tolerated, and as directed by physician)

Ice and evaluation - ice 20-30 minutes every 2-3 hours, and elevate with knee in full extension

POD 2 to 3

Brace/Immobilizer, locked at 0º extension for ambulation and unlocked for sitting, etc.

Weight-bearing - 2 crutches, WBAT

Range-of-motion - remove brace, perform range-of-motion exercises 4 to 6 times a day

Exercises:

  • Multi-angle isometrics at 90º and 60º (knee extension)
  • Knee extension 90º to 40º
  • Overpressure
  • Patellar mobilization
  • Ankle pumps
  • Straight leg raises (3 directions)
  • Mini squats and weight shifts
  • Standing hamstring curls
  • Quadriceps isometric setting

Muscle Stimulation - electrical muscle stimulation to quads (6 hours per day)

Continuous passive motion – 0º to 90º as needed

Ice and evaluation - ice 20-30 minutes every 2-3 hours, and elevate leg with knee in full extension

POD 4 to 7

Brace /Immobilizer locked at 0º extension for ambulation and unlocked for sitting, etc.

Weight-bearing - 2 crutches, WBAT

Range-of-motion - remove brace to perform range-of-motion exercises 4 to 6 times per day

Goal: knee flexion 90º by day 5, approximately 100º by day 7

Exercises:

  • Multi-angle isometrics at 90º and 60º (knee extension)
  • Knee extension 90º to 40º
  • Overpressure into extension
  • Patellar mobilization
  • Ankle pumps
  • Straight leg raises (3 directions)
  • Mini squats and weight shifts
  • Standing hamstring curls
  • Quadriceps isometric setting
  • Proprioception and balance activities

Muscle stimulation - electrical muscle stimulation (continue 6 hours daily)

Continue passive motion - 0º to 90º as needed

Ice and elevation - ice 20-30 minutes every 2-3 hours, and elevate leg with knee full extension

Phase 2 - Early Rehabiliation phase (weeks 2-4)

Criteria to progress to intermediate phase:

  • Quad control (ability to perform good quad sets and straight leg raises [SLR])
  • Full passive knee extension
  • Passive range-of-motion (PROM) 0º to 90º
  • Good patellar mobility
  • Minimal joint effusion
  • Independent ambulation

Goals:

  • Maintain full passive knee extension
  • Gradually increase knee flexion
  • Diminish swelling and pain
  • Muscle training
  • Restore proprioception
  • Patellar mobility

Week 2

Brace - discontinue brace or immobilizer at 2 to 3 weeks (once quad function allows limb support)

WBAT (goal is to discontinue crutches by 10 days postop)

Range-of-motion - self-ROM stretching (4 - 5 times daily), emphasis on maintaining full PROM

Exercises:

  • Muscle stimulation to quadriceps exercises
  • Isometric quadriceps sets
  • Straight leg raises (4 planes)
  • Leg press
  • Knee extension 90º to 40º
  • Half squats (0º to 40º)
  • Weight shifts
  • Front and side lunges
  • Hamstring curls
  • Bicycle
  • Proprioception training
  • Well leg exercises
  • Progressive resistance extension program - start with 1 lb., progress 1 lb. per week

Overpressure into extension

PROM 0º to 90º

Patellar mobilization

Swelling control - ice, compression, elevation

Week 3

Brace - discontinue

Range-of-motion - continue range-of motion stretching and overpressure into extension

Exercises:

  • Continue all exercises from week 2
  • Eccentric quadriceps program 40º to 100º (isotonic only)
  • Lateral lunges
  • Lateral step-ups
  • Front step-ups
  • Lateral step-overs (cones)
  • Stair-Stepper machine

PROM 0º to 115º

Bicycle for range-of-motion stimulus and endurance

Pool walking program (if incision is closed)

Progress proprioception drills, neuromuscular control drills

Controlled ambulation phase

Phase 3 - Intermediate Rehabilitativc Phase (weeks 4-10)

Criteria to progress to Phase 3

  • AROM 0º to 115º
  • Quadriceps strength > 60% contralateral side (isometric test at 60º knee flexion)
  • Unchanged KT Test bilateral values (+1 or less)
  • Minimal to no full-joint effusion
  • No joint line or patellofemoral pain

Goals:

  • Restore full knee range-of-motion (0º to 125º)
  • Improve lower extremity strength
  • Enhance proprioception, balance and neuromuscular control
  • Improve muscular endurance
  • Restore limb confidence and function

Brace - no immobilizer or brace, may use knee sleeve

Range-of-motion - self-ROM (4 - 5 times daily using the other leg to provide ROM), emphasis on

maintaining 0º passive extension

Week 4

Exercises:

  • Progress isometric strengthening program
  • Leg press
  • Knee extension 90º to 40º
  • Hamstring curls
  • Hip abduction and adduction
  • Hip flexion and extension
  • Lateral step-overs
  • Lateral lunges
  • Lateral step-ups
  • Front step-downs
  • Wall squats
  • Vertical squats
  • Toe calf raises

Biodex Stability System (balance, squats, etc.)

Proprioception drills

Bicycle

Stair Stepper machine

Pool program (Backward running, hip and leg exercises)

Week 6

Exercises:

  • Continue all exercises as above

Pool running (forward) and agility drills

Balance on tilt boards

Progress to balance and board throws

Week 8

Exercises:

  • Continue all exercises from weeks 4 to 6
  • Plyometric leg press
  • Perturbation training
  • Isokinetic exercises from 90º to 40º (at 120º to 240º/second)
  • Walking program

Bicycle for endurance

Stair Stepper machine for endurance

Week 10

Isokinetic Test - concentric knee extension/flexion at 180º and 300º/second

Exercises:

  • Continue all exercises listed from weeks 4 - 10
  • Plyometric training drills

Continue stretching drills

Phase 4 - Advanced Activity Phase (weeks 10 - 16)

Criteria to enter Phase 4

  • AROM 0º to 125º or greater
  • Quad strength 80% of contralateral side, knee extension flexor: extensor ratio 70% to 75%
  • No change in KT values (comparable with contralateral side, within 2 mm)
  • No pain or effusion
  • Satisfactory clinical exam
  • Satisfactory isokinetic test (values at 180º)
  • Quadriceps bilateral comparison 75%
  • Hamstrings equal bilateral
  • Quadriceps peak torque/bodyweight
  • Hamstrings/quadriceps ratio 66% to 75%
  • Hop Test (80% of contralateral leg)

Goals:

  • Normalize lower extremity strength
  • Enhance muscular power and endurance
  • Improve neuromuscular control
  • Perform selected sport-specific drills

Exercises:

  • Continue all exercises

Phase 5 - Return to Activity Phase (weeks 16 - 22)

Criteria to enter Phase 5

  • Full range-of-motion
  • Unchanged KT 2000 Test (within 2.5 mm of opposite side)
  • Isokinetic test that fulfills criteria
  • Quadriceps bilateral comparison (80% or greater, 90% for cutting sports)
  • Hamstring bilateral comparison (110% or greater)
  • Quadriceps torque/body weight ratio (55% or greater)
  • Hamstrings/quadriceps ratio (70% or greater)
  • Proprioceptive test (100% of contralateral leg)
  • Functional test (85% or greater of contralateral side)
  • Satisfactory clinical exam

Goals:

  • Gradual return to full unrestricted sports
  • Achieve maximal strength and endurance
  • Normalize neuromuscular control
  • Progress skill training

Tests - KT 2000, isokinetic, and functional tests before return

Exercises:

  • Continue strengthening exercises
  • Continue neuromuscular control drills
  • Continue plyometrics drills
  • Progress running and agility program
  • Progress sport-specific training