acl reconstruction rehabilitation phase 1 (0 2 weeks)
This series of rehabilitation plans is summarized from the "Orthopedic Postoperative Rehabilitation Guide" and various institutions' ACL rehabilitation guidelines. It is only applicable to patients recovering from anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery. There are differences for patients who have undergone meniscus suturing/removal, collateral ligament reconstruction, and other surgical procedures.
Please communicate with your surgeon/clinician or therapist and adjust the rehabilitation plan according to your individual recovery situation.
Postoperative symptoms are complex and variable. This article serves only as a general reference for a rehabilitation plan. Personalized and targeted rehabilitation plans are more effective and safer. You can contact a professional rehabilitation therapist through Codoon for one-on-one rehabilitation evaluation/treatment.
Phase 1 (0-2 weeks post-surgery)
Focus of rehabilitation at this stage: reduce pain and swelling at the surgical site, prevent quadriceps inhibition, prevent infection, early joint activity, achieve full extension angle, and use crutches for walking.
Phase 1 Rehabilitation Goals
1. Passive full knee extension of the affected limb
2. Knee flexion range of motion of the affected limb reaches 90°
3. Gradual weight-bearing on the affected limb
Precautions
1. Avoid excessive knee flexion of the affected limb
2. Avoid prolonged standing or walking
3. Keep the wound dry
4. Redness, swelling, pain, and discomfort after active exercise are normal reactions.
Perform the following exercises within your capacity. There is no specific order for the exercises. Follow the principle of doing small amounts multiple times a day.
1. Ankle pumps
Purpose:
Improve lower limb blood circulation
Note:
① Keep the ankle joint higher than the heart
② Perform the movements slowly, dorsiflexion/plantarflexion to the maximum angle
③ Do not limit the number of repetitions for ankle pumps; 100 repetitions can be used as a unit each time
Method:
Lie on your back or sit, with the heel elevated above the heart. Alternate between dorsiflexing and plantarflexing the ankle slowly and in a controlled manner.
2,Patellar mobilization
Purpose:
Maintain patellofemoral joint mobility
Note:
① Pay attention to infection prevention at the wound site
② Mobilize the patella in upward, downward, and lateral directions
Method:
Sit with the knee extended. Use your thumb and index finger to hold the upper and lower/left and right ends of the patella, and slowly push the patella to the end position with both hands.
3, Seated active knee extension
Purpose:
Improve/maintain knee extension angle
Note:
① Try to maintain the extended position for as long as possible
② Keep the toes pointing upwards
Method:
Sit with a foam roller or other object under the heel of the affected side, keeping the popliteal area suspended. Use the front of the thigh to extend the knee and press down, then slowly relax.
4, Passive assisted knee flexion
Purpose:
Restore knee flexion range of motion
Note:
① Pause for 10 seconds at the end of knee flexion
② Perform the movements slowly, avoiding rapid flexion and extension
③ Perform the movements slowly, reaching the maximum limit without increasing pain or discomfort
Method:
Sit on the edge of the bed, place the affected foot under the healthy side, slowly flex the knee until there is tension or pain in the affected side, maintain for a while, and use the healthy foot to assist in increasing the angle slightly.
5, Supine quadriceps static contraction
Purpose:
Maintain quadriceps excitability
Note:
① Maintain muscle contraction for 10 seconds, then relax
② Practice repeatedly in small amounts multiple times a day
Method:
Lie on your back with the affected side naturally extended. Perform knee extension movements, tighten the thigh muscles, maintain for 10 seconds, relax, and repeat.
6. Supine healthy side assisted heel slide
Purpose:
Maintain active knee flexion and extension angle
Note:
① Feel the continuous effort of the posterior thigh muscles of the affected side
② Perform the movements slowly, avoiding rapid flexion and extension
③ Practice repeatedly in small amounts multiple times a day
Method:
Lie on your back, hook the healthy side around the distal end of the affected leg, assist the affected side to slowly slide along the bed surface to flex the leg to the maximum, then slowly assist the affected side to extend.
7.Walking with crutches
Purpose:
Maintain lower limb muscle strength and physical activity level
Note:
① Choose single or double crutches based on the situation
② Gradually increase the walking distance from short distances
③ Optionally wear a brace for walking
Method:
Walk slowly with the help of double/single crutches, gradually adjusting the weight-bearing on both lower limbs.
8. Supine straight leg raise
Purpose:
Maintain quadriceps and hip muscle strength
Note:
① Try to maintain full knee extension throughout the movement
② When the knee can be fully extended during the movement, increase difficulty by adding weight to the ankle
Method:
Lie on your back, keep the thigh extended, lift the entire lower limb 10-15cm off the ground, then slowly return.
9. Prone leg raise
Purpose:
Maintain hip and posterior thigh muscle strength
Note:
① Try to maintain full knee extension throughout the movement
② Increase difficulty by adding weight to the ankle
Method:
Lie prone, tighten the hip and posterior thigh muscles, slowly lift the leg 10-15cm, then slowly return.
10. Side-lying leg raise
Purpose:
Maintain hip and posterior thigh muscle strength
Note:
① Keep the lower limb and trunk in a straight line, do not swing forward
② Maintain knee extension
③ Increase difficulty by adding weight to the ankle
Method:
Lie on your side with the lower limb extended, the affected side on top. Use the hip to lift the affected side 10-15cm to the side and back, then slowly return.