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Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injury Rehabilitation Program

  • Writer: Adam Whatley
    Adam Whatley
  • 4 days ago
  • 3 min read


ACL Injury Rehab Program with Dynamic Regenerative Medicine


At Dynamic Regenerative Medicine, we specialise in advanced musculoskeletal rehabilitation and regenerative therapies to optimise recovery after ACL injuries. Whether recovering from an ACL sprain or reconstruction surgery, a structured and evidence-based rehabilitation program is vital for restoring knee function and preventing future injury.




🔍 What is an ACL Injury?


The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the key stabilising ligaments in the knee joint. Injuries commonly occur in sports involving sudden stops, jumps, or directional changes such as football, basketball, and skiing. Tears can be partial or complete, often requiring both surgical and conservative interventions for complete recovery.





🏥 Comprehensive ACL Injury Rehabilitation Phases



Please note each individual case will often vary in regards to progression based on many different factors. Below is just a reference guide for aid and assistance through your post injury recovery.




🔸

Phase 1: Acute Phase (0–2 weeks post-injury/surgery)


Goals:

  • Reduce pain and swelling

  • Protect the healing ACL

  • Restore passive range of motion (ROM), especially knee extension



Key Interventions:

  • Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE)

  • Isometric quadriceps activation

  • Passive ROM exercises

  • Use of knee brace or crutches if needed



💉 Optional: PRP Therapy may be introduced early post-injury to accelerate ligament healing and reduce inflammation.





🔸

Phase 2: Early Rehab Phase (2–6 weeks)


Goals:

  • Improve knee flexion and extension ROM

  • Begin dynamic quadriceps and hamstring strengthening

  • Enhance neuromuscular control



Key Interventions:

  • Closed-chain strengthening exercises (e.g., mini squats, heel raises)

  • Stationary cycling and pool therapy

  • Proprioceptive training (balance boards, wobble discs)




🔸

Phase 3: Strength & Control Phase (6–12 weeks)



Goals:

  • Restore full ROM

  • Strengthen hip and core musculature

  • Increase functional movement patterns



Key Interventions:

  • Leg press, hamstring curls, glute bridges

  • Agility ladders, dynamic lunges, step-downs

  • Continued proprioception and balance drills



💉 Second PRP injection may be considered to enhance tendon-bone healing or if ongoing inflammation persists.




🔸

Phase 4: Advanced Strengthening & Plyometrics (3–6 months)



Goals:

  • Reintroduce power-based exercises

  • Restore full functional mobility

  • Address any movement asymmetries



Key Interventions:

  • Plyometrics (jump squats, box jumps)

  • Lateral bounding, single-leg hops

  • Eccentric hamstring loading

  • Sport-specific drills




🔸

Phase 5: Return to Sport (6–9 months)



Goals:

  • Complete strength symmetry (>90% of uninjured leg)

  • Full return to high-level sport with confidence

  • Injury prevention education



Key Interventions:

  • Functional testing (hop tests, agility drills)

  • Reaction training and cognitive drills

  • Reintroduction of full training sessions

  • Maintenance rehab and conditioning




🌿 PRP Therapy for ACL Injury Recovery


At Dynamic Regenerative Medicine, we provide ultrasound-guided Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP) therapy as part of our integrative approach. PRP contains concentrated growth factors that enhance tissue regeneration, reduce inflammation, and support collagen synthesis crucial for ACL healing.




🔬 Evidence-Based Benefits of PRP in ACL Recovery:



  1. Preoperative Platelet-Rich Plasma Injections Decrease Inflammatory and Chondrodegenerative Biomarkers in Patients With Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears: A Pilot Randomized Controlled Trial.


    Intervention with aspiration combined with a 2-injection series of leukocyte-poor PRP in the acute ACL-injured knee resulted in a significant reduction in effusion inflammatory markers, whereas the control aspiration (without PRP injections) did not show such marker reduction.


  1. Platelet rich plasma and anterior cruciate ligament repair: A new frontier, or a short term adjunct. (2025).


    Studies suggest that PRP may serve as both an adjunct therapy in ACLR to enhance initial healing and reduce postoperative complications, and as a non-surgical alternative for small ACL tears.






📍 Why Choose Dynamic Regenerative Medicine?


With over 15 years of clinical experience in musculoskeletal medicine, rehabilitation and regenerative medicine, we’ve supported countless patients across Birmingham, Warwickshire, and beyond. We focus on non-surgical, evidence-backed treatments that aim to reduce pain, restore function, and promote long-term joint health.




👉 Book Your Consultation Today


If you’re suffering from pain or injury in Birmingham or Warwickshire, let the experts at Dynamic Regenerative Medicine help. With clinics in Edgbaston (Birmingham) and Henley-in-Arden, we provide advanced, personalised treatment options that work.


Contact us today to book your consultation and start your journey to a pain-free life.


Book Online Here or call us directly at 01564 330773






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