Principles of postoperative anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation

Table 2 Goals of 1-4 mo (maintenance and acceleration phase)

Decrease and disappearance of effusion

Full and pain-free knee range of motion

Continue flexibility exercises

Continue strengthening exercises (add isokinetic hamstring exercises)

Swimming

Bicycling (indoor)

Core training progression

Proprioceptive progression (focus on weak positions)

Maintain cardiovascular fitness

Determine and manage hamstring, quadriceps strength deficits

Prepare physically and psychologically for jogging

Deep water running

MD visit 2/mo