Our program is designed to help you prevent and recover from ACL injuries, so you can stay healthy and enjoy the activities you love safely. Here’s how we do it:

1. Evaluate

We begin by thoroughly assessing your current condition and identifying any risk factors. This involves reviewing your medical history, performing a physical examination, and diagnostics with objective testing. Through this evaluation, we can determine the extent of any injury and understand contributing factors such as muscle imbalances, joint instability, or biomechanical issues.

2. Alleviate

In this phase, we focus on managing acute symptoms like pain and inflammation. We’ll use treatments such as manual treatment, compression, and elevation to reduce swelling and discomfort. We’ll also introduce gentle exercises to improve circulation and promote initial healing, creating a foundation for further rehabilitation.

3. Develop

Next, we work on restoring your range of motion and flexibility. This involves specific exercises and stretches designed to address any limitations in movement. Enhancing flexibility is crucial to prevent stiffness and ensure that your knee can move freely and without pain. This phase also includes proprioceptive training to improve your balance and coordination.

4. Strengthen

Strengthening the muscles around your knee is a key focus in this phase. We’ll guide you through progressive strength training exercises that target the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calf muscles. These exercises, which can be both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing, aim to build muscle strength and endurance. Strengthening these muscles provides better support and stability for your knee, reducing the risk of re-injury.

5. Perform

As your strength improves, we’ll introduce more dynamic and functional exercises that prepare you for the activities you love. This includes plyometric exercises, agility drills, and sport-specific movements designed to enhance your power, speed, and coordination. The goal is to ensure your knee can handle the stresses and strains of dynamic activities, allowing you to safely return to your previous activity level or sport.

6. Re-evaluate

Finally, we’ll conduct a comprehensive reassessment to evaluate your progress and readiness to return to full activity. This involves retesting your range of motion, strength, stability, and functional performance. Based on the results, we may adjust your rehabilitation program to address any remaining deficits. Our aim is to ensure you can return to your activities safely and with minimal risk of re-injury.

By following these six phases, we’ll help you prevent ACL injuries and recover effectively, so you can stay active and healthy.

Returning to sport after an ACL injury can be daunting, especially if you’re concerned about re-injury or worried about your kids getting hurt again. Here are key ways to ensure a safe and effective return to sport:

Follow our ACL Program: Start with a structured program that includes pain management, flexibility exercises, and strength training. Working closely with our team of doctors physical therapists and performance trainers to help tailor the program to your specific needs, ensuring a safe and steady recovery.

Prioritize Strength Training: Strengthening the muscles around the knee, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and calves, is essential. Strong muscles support and stabilize the knee, reducing the risk of re-injury. Incorporate both weight-bearing and non-weight-bearing exercises into your routine for the best results.

Improve Flexibility and Range of Motion: Ensuring your knee has full range of motion and flexibility is vital. Regular stretching and flexibility exercises help prevent stiffness and ensure your knee can move freely and without pain, which is crucial before moving on to more intense activities.

Focus on Balance and Proprioception: Enhancing your balance and proprioception (your body’s ability to sense its position in space) is key to preventing future injuries. Exercises that challenge your balance and coordination, such as single-leg stands and agility drills, can be very effective.

Gradually Increase Activity Level: Avoid jumping back into high-intensity activities too quickly. Gradually increase the intensity and duration of your workouts. Start with low-impact exercises and slowly progress to more dynamic and sport-specific movements as your strength and confidence improve.

Use Proper Technique and Equipment: Ensure you’re using the correct technique for your sport. This includes proper landing mechanics, cutting techniques, and pivoting motions. Additionally, wearing appropriate footwear and any recommended knee braces or supports can provide extra stability.

Listen to Your Body: Pay close attention to how your body feels during and after exercise. If you experience pain, swelling, or discomfort, take a step back and consult with your physical therapist or physician. Ignoring these signs and pushing through pain can lead to setbacks and increase the risk of re-injury.

Stay Consistent with Maintenance Exercises: Even after you’ve returned to your sport, continue with maintenance exercises. Regular strength, flexibility, and balance exercises help maintain knee health and prevent future injuries.

By following these key strategies, you can confidently return to your favorite activities or support your kids in their recovery journey, minimizing the risk of re-injury and ensuring long-term knee health. Remember, patience and consistency are crucial for a successful recovery.