Question: I just had ACL surgery on my knee. What can I expect to happen during my PT visits and when can I start coming to PT?
Ask Our PT Answer: Physical Therapy will begin shortly after surgery. Exactly how soon after surgery will depend on your orthopaedic surgeon’s protocol. Some physicians want physical therapy initiated the day after surgery whereas others wait a bit longer. Therapy will consist initially of gentle exercises to restore range of motion and strength to your knee. Again the exact progression will depend on the guidelines offered by your surgeon.
After several weeks more aggressive strengthening will be included in your physical therapy program to ensure that your functional abilities are 100% restored. Often times in the later stages you will be given exercises that are sport specific to reduce any risk of re-injuring the knee when you return to your favorite activities.
Jeff Moore, DPT, MTC
Ask Our PT is a community service offering sponsored by Excel Physical Therapy. If you have a question about a pain, injury or sports performance issue you have and aren’t sure what to do about it, please post your question in a Reply or Comment on our Ask Our PT Blog Selection or via info@excelptmt.com. You may also post a question on our facebook page: Excel Physical Therapy. A member of our highly trained physical therapy team, David, Jeff, Amy or Jason, will post their prompt answer to your specific question on our blog. If you leave an email address, we will respond directly to you as well. Ask Our PT is available only to residents of the Gallatin Valley.