What to expect from prehabilitation for ACL tear

An ACL tear can affect knee stability, confidence, walking, and the ability to straighten or bend the knee. Prehabilitation is an organised programme before surgery or further treatment. Your therapist may assess swelling, range of motion, quadriceps activation, hamstring strength, balance, gait, and everyday tasks such as stairs. Exercises may include gentle range-of-motion work, quadriceps strengthening, hip and trunk control, and balance practice. The programme is adapted to the knee’s stability and to your planned treatment, rather than treating every ACL injury in the same way.

Use ice, elevation, a brace, or crutches only as advised for your situation. Practise the home programme consistently and avoid pivoting, jumping, or sport-specific drills until cleared. Work on a smooth walking pattern and tell the therapist if the knee locks, gives way, becomes more swollen, or loses motion after exercise. Bring details of work, school, sport, and home stairs so preparation reflects the demands you will actually face.

Contact your clinician promptly for a suddenly swollen or unstable knee, inability to bear weight, a locked knee, fever, or increasing redness and warmth. Urgent help is needed for calf swelling or pain with breathlessness or chest pain. These symptoms need assessment rather than exercise progression.

Ask what knee movement and strength targets you should reach, whether a brace is needed, which activities are restricted, and how the plan changes if surgery is delayed or not chosen.