What does the recovery after an ACL injury look like? When can I play? Where should I be at 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, or 12 months post injury/surgery? These are all key questions you, or your child may have after experiencing an ACL injury.

These questions certainly are not easy to answer and cannot fit into 1 post, but here are some phase to go through before returning to your daily activities ort sport:

Phase 1 (Acute):

-> No swelling/or knee fluid;

-> Full knee flexion and extension range of motion (ROM); and

-> No “quads lag” during supine straight leg raise.

Phase 2 (Intermediate):

-> Control of terminal knee extension in weight bearing positions;

-> 80% quadriceps strength symmetry; and

-> 80% hop test performance symmetry

Phase 3 (Late):

-> 90% quad strength symmetry

-> 90% hop test performance

-> Progress functional skills and confidence to daily living or sport demands

Phase 4 (Prevention):

-> Maintain muscle strength

-> Maintain dynamic knee stability

-> Manage load