ACL Rupture - What Next?

What happens next if you have torn your ACL?

This will vary a little depending on a number of factors including

• how well your knee is coping with the injury
• whether there are other associated injuries
• how old the injury is
• the level of activity you wish to return to

If the injury is recent you will typically see a Physiotherapist for a short period with the aim of restoring full movement to your knee and regaining strength. This also allows time for the swelling to resolve and for you to assess how well your knee can manage normal activities with a torn ACL. Some people manage very well and return to all their activities just by working hard to regain full strength. However other people continue to experience a feeling of instability or have particular lifestyle demands which leads to the recommendation of ACL reconstructive surgery. If you do decide to have reconstructive surgery, your surgeon will advise you on the type of reconstruction most appropriate for you. Typically this will mean taking a graft from your patella tendon or hamstring to use as a replacement ligament. You will usually have a general anaesthetic and be in hospital for one night. The following day, you will go home walking with crutches and knowing how to begin basic knee exercises.

What does rehabilitation involve?

If there are no complications, very quickly your Physiotherapist will be keen for you to restore full movement to your knee and walk normally. Over the next 6-12 months, your Physiotherapist will work with you and guide you on how to restore full strength and function to your knee. To get the best from your knee, this period of time requires commitment and hard work.

Can it happen again?

Unfortunately once you have torn an ACL there is an increased risk of it happening again and an increased risk of osteoarthritis. We are keen to help you understand how to look after your knee to minimise the chance of another ACL injury and Osteoarthritis.

If your injury occurred whilst playing a team sport we ask you to discuss the information on this website with your team members, and encourage them to assess their own injury risk factors and implement our simple JumpPerform injury prevention programme as their warm up.

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