Exercises After ACL Surgery

If you’ve recently had ACL surgery, exercises are an important part of your recovery, in addition to a physical therapy program. These Level 1 exercises should be done for 1 to 4 weeks after surgery. The goal of these exercises is to regain neuromuscular control of the quadriceps, strengthen the hip and maintain knee and ankle range of motion on the affected leg.

Perform these exercises 1 to 3 times per day, only within pain-free range of motion. Stop the activity if it causes increased pain.

Please consult with your doctor before starting any home exercise program. These exercises should not replace instructions from your doctor.

Post-Op ACL Exercises (Level 1) (1-4 weeks after surgery)

1. Long sitting towel calf stretch

Sit up with good posture and place towel on the bottom of your foot, while holding on to the ends.

Now pull the towel across the foot, so that your toes are being pulled towards you. Repeat for 2 sets for 30 seconds.

2. Supine Hamstring Stretch

Sit up and place towel over your foot, while holding on to the towel with both hands.

Lie down on your back and bring your leg up until you feel a stretch in the back of your leg. Hold this for 30 seconds. Repeat twice, 30 seconds each time.

3. Quad sets

Lie down on your back, place a small towel roll behind your knee.

Tighten the muscles at the front of your leg, and hold 3-5 seconds. Repeat for 2 sets of 10 repetitions.

4. Ankle pumps

Lie on your back, or sit in a chair.

Lift your ankles and toes up, then point them down. Repeat this for 2 sets of 10 repetitions.

5. Heel slides

Sit down with a towel over your foot.

Slide your foot back by pulling the towel with your arms, bend your knee as far as you can. Hold it bent for 3-5 seconds. Continue to bend and straighten your knee for 2 sets of 10 repetitions.

6. Prone hip extension

Lie on your stomach with your head on a pillow.

On your stomach, lift your leg up with your knee completely straight.
Continue this for 2 sets of 10 repetitions.