How Long After Acl Surgery Can You Run?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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A generalized timeline for recovery following ACL reconstruction is as follows: 3 months after surgery begin a walk/jog program. 4 1⁄2 to 6 months add agility and running. Return to sports can occur at the earliest 8 months after surgery but more commonly occurs between 10 and 12 months .

What can I do 5 months after ACL surgery?

  • Lunges.
  • Deceleration.
  • Lateral Shuffle.
  • Cutting (45 and 90 degrees)
  • Double- and single-leg jumping.
  • Dynamic change of direction.

Can you run 4 months after ACL surgery?

Not So Fast. Like the infamous 6 month mark after an ACL surgery/reconstruction is considered a time to start jumping and change of direction, 4 months after ACL surgery, or somewhere in that vicinity, is considered the time to start running .

What happens at 3 months after ACL surgery?

What can you do 8 weeks after ACL surgery?

Usually by 6-8 Weeks After ACL Surgery patients should be able to have full flexion to 135 degrees, be able to consistently use the weight room and moderate speed strengthening training or agility and sport specific drills .

How long until you can play sport after ACL surgery?

Patients often have a strong desire to return to sports as soon as possible. Setting realistic expectations for yourself by understanding the complexity will help you avoid disappointment and setbacks. The rehabilitation time frame after ACL surgery is between nine to 12 months .

What is the fastest ACL recovery?

The mid-1990s case of former Vikings tailback Terry Allen marked the first really effective and immediate return from an ACL injury, but it’s worth noting Allen’s occurred during a July 1993 practice, giving him a full calendar year to recover before putting together a 1,031-yard season in 1994.

Will my knee ever be the same after ACL surgery?

For the most part, patients’ range-of-motion 10 years after surgery was the same as it had been two years after the operation . About 85 per cent of the 502 patients had a stable knee they could hop on.

Can you run 2 months after ACL surgery?

In most cases, three months is just enough time for the structure of the ACL graft to have healed enough to withstand forces of running . Now, that’s all well and good; but that’s the bare minimum of the healing process.

What happens at 4 months after ACL surgery?

One of the most exciting parts about the 3-4 month mark is that you’re typically given the official “okay” to get back to running — and, with the proper protocol, you’re probably in the process of improving your gait and further enhancing your body’s strength and movement.

Can I run with an ACL tear?

ACL tears disrupt the ligamentous stability of the knee. Straight ahead runners can often get by without a repair, but a soccer player will likely need a graft to be able to cut and jump well .

Can I go to gym after ACL surgery?

Between 6-12 weeks the focus will be on improving muscle strength, coordination, and balance. It is critical to progressively increase the level of activity to avoid risk of reinjury. At the 3-month mark you may be cleared to begin running. Start slow and be mindful of how the knee responds to the new activity.

Is swimming good for ACL recovery?

Don’t work your quadriceps early on because this can stretch the ACL graft. Stationery bike riding or lightweight leg presses are recommended during the first three months after surgery. These exercises strengthen the quadriceps while using the hamstrings to protect the ACL graft. Don’t swim or run for five months .

Is ACL surgery good for life?

FRIDAY, July 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) — People who undergo knee surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can expect to stay active and maintain a high quality of life, researchers report.

How long is ACL recovery?

Within the first few weeks after surgery, you should strive to regain a range of motion equal to that of your opposite knee. Recovery generally takes about nine months . It may take eight to 12 months or more before athletes can return to their sports.

Is ACL surgery a major surgery?

Injuries requiring reconstruction or replacement of the ACL are common among athletes. ACL reconstruction surgery can help restore range of motion, function and stability to the knee joint after an ACL injury. ACL reconstruction surgery is a common but major surgery with risks, like any other surgery .

When will I be able to bend my knee fully after ACL surgery?

When the patient can control their range of motion progression, their perceived threat is reduced and motion often comes back easier. Knee flexion is restored more gradually, with about 90 degrees achieved at 1 week and full knee flexion gradually advanced and achieved by week 4-6 .

Can I play soccer 6 months after ACL surgery?

We encourage them to try and give it 9-12 months (at a minimum). Time questions aside, we don’t recommend a return to Level I sport (soccer, basketball, football) after an ACL surgery until there is no pain with activity, no swelling, full range of motion, good stability, strength close to equal to the opposite side.

What athletes have had ACL surgery?

  • Tom Brady #ACLRecovery #MCLRecovery. ...
  • Alex Morgan #ACLRecovery. ...
  • Adrian Peterson #ACLRecovery, #MCLRecovery. ...
  • Jamal Crawford #KneeSugergyRecovery. ...
  • Drew Brees #RotatorcuffSurgeryRecovery. ...
  • Maria Sharapova #TornRotatorCuffSugeryRecovery.

What athletes have torn their ACL?

  • Tom Brady – Torn ACL. Tom Brady is a four time Super bowl winning Quarterback. ...
  • J.J. Watt – Meniscus Tear & Tibial Plateau Fracture. ...
  • Rob Gronkowski – Torn ACL, Torn MCL. ...
  • Teddy Bridgewater – Dislocated Knee, Torn ACL. ...
  • Adrian Peterson – Torn ACL, Torn MCL.

When is your knee the weakest after ACL surgery?

The graft complex is actually at its weakest at around the 6 week post operative mark . Kinematic research has shown that open chain exercises cause significantly more anterior tibial displacement and hence more strain on the graft than closed chain exercises.

When is your ACL the weakest after surgery?

The graft is at its weakest at 3 to 6 months – just when the patient is beginning to regain confidence. It is therefore essential that return to proper sport is delayed until 9 months post-op.

When is ACL repair most vulnerable?

First two weeks after surgery

This phase is the most important during ACL recovery because it is precisely during this time that the knee is most vulnerable.

Is a repaired ACL stronger?

Benefits. The bone portion of the graft allows it to incorporate and heal very quickly into the tunnels used for the reconstruction. It is quite strong. Biomechanical studies have shown that it is about 70% stronger than a normal ACL at the time of implantation .

What happens at 6 weeks after ACL surgery?

Week 6-12:

Patients will begin working on more activity-specific strengthening and weight bearing exercises, such as squats, ascending and descending stairs, and balancing . They can also begin biking with resistance. The muscles begin to recover their normal function and gait becomes more normalized.

When can I kick a soccer ball after ACL surgery?

Following an ACL injury, it is estimated that athletes should be able to return to sport within nine months of surgery . However this is widely variable and many will not achieve this level of rehabilitation within two years post-surgery 2 .

Kim Nguyen
Author
Kim Nguyen
Kim Nguyen is a fitness expert and personal trainer with over 15 years of experience in the industry. She is a certified strength and conditioning specialist and has trained a variety of clients, from professional athletes to everyday fitness enthusiasts. Kim is passionate about helping people achieve their fitness goals and promoting a healthy, active lifestyle.