PREHABILITATION Pre-Surgery GOALS

After an ACL injury it is very important to start exercising as soon as possible. This is helps retain your muscle strength around the ACL, range of motion and control swelling. These functions are vital to prepare an injured athlete for ACL surgery. These exercises can begin immediately after an ACL injury.

After prehabilitation, the knee will feel and look normal. However, IT IS NOT! DO NOT run, cut, jump, land, return to ANY sports that will involve any changing of direction. If one does, the knee will go out and will likely sustain further serious injury.

Retain Range of Motion

Exercise Bike

Exercise Bike - Seat High

(5-20 minutes, 1-2 times per day)

When sitting on the bike it is important to set the seat height to work on both knee extensions (straightening) and flexion (bending). If one sets the seat higher, it will force the knee into extension.

Tips:

Resistance is not important, only the motion. If one cannot initially make a full rotation, half rocking rotations will be helpful.