The ligament which brings together the tibia to the femur bone is called anterior cruciate ligament or ACL. It is positioned diagonally in the center of these two bones. This ligament provides support and helps the knee to rotate. Based on the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons, approximately a hundred thousand people year after year have to undergo reconstruction surgery caused by knee ligament tears that are commonly acquired while actively playing sports. After an ACL surgery, individuals are instructed to undergo ACL physical therapy to make the knee recover faster. Some individuals will need to go through the therapy for four to six months to ensure that their knees and legs to work normally.

Right after surgery, the individual has to undergo a post operative rehabilitation. The person will likely be recommended to see a physical therapist three times each week. Right after eight weeks, the appointments might be lessened to merely twice a week. For the first few weeks, you will do a few strengthening exercises. This will help to reduce inflammation as well as strengthen your knee muscles. You will need to keep doing these physical exercises on days that you do not see your physical therapist. The routines should be done for half an hour to an hour daily.

Perhaps right after two months of therapy, once your knee has already recovered, your physical therapist can give you a more intense knee conditioning exercises. At this point of your ACL physical therapy, you may be recommended to lift weights and perform some cardio workouts which include using a treadmill or bike. Furthermore, you may be given new routines that are meant to bring back the stability and balance of your knee. You may also have the option to get this done in fitness or health clubs instead of going to a medical therapy center.

The rest of the two to three months of your therapy will include balance, stability and strength exercises that will check the full healing of your injured knee. One of many exercises done at this point of your therapy is called the box jump. You will be expected to jump sideways up on a wooden box. The box is going to be placed beside you. When you have jumped on to the box, you'll then jump again landing on the other side of the box, with both your feet landing together. At some point, if you have regained the complete functioning of your knee, you'll be able to jump on the other side of the box easily.

You could experience some discomfort and pain throughout these phases of your ACL physical therapy. This is normal as your knees as well as the muscles surrounding it are still on the process of healing. This could take time therefore a lot of patience is required.