ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation
The Melbourne ACL Rehabilitation Guide provides a structured rehabilitation program designed specifically for patients following reconstructive ACL surgery typically over the 12 months follow their surgery.
It is a criteria driven protocol and is a useful guide for both clinicians and patients following ACL reconstruction.
Knee Replacement Rehabilitation
The Trauma and Orthopaedic Research Charity have produced some excellent videos walking you through what to expect both before and after a knee replacement. They particularly highlight some key exercises to undertake after your surgery.
It is critically important to get the knee moving well through a full range of movement after surgery. Stiffness of the knee after Knee Replacement is a common issue. Loss of full extension of the knee is particularly problematic if good early rehabilitation is not done.
Medial Collateral Ligament Injury Rehabilitation
Grade 1 MCL Sprain
Management & goals:
Conservative rehabilitation with early weightbearing as tolerated, pain-guided range-of-motion and strengthening exercises, focusing on restoring full motion, quad control, and return to light running within 1–3 weeks.
Grade 2 MCL Sprain
Management & goals:
Structured non-operative rehab with early controlled motion, progressive strength and neuromuscular control, and graduated return to running and cutting at around 6–8 weeks — a hinged knee bracing is often recommended in the early phase.
Grade 3 MCL Sprain
Management & goals:
A period of protection with possible hinged bracing followed by criteria-based progressive strengthening, running and change-of-direction training; non-operative rehab often works when the are an isolated injury, with return to sport typically ≥10–12+ weeks. Again hinged knee bracing recommended for the early rehabilitation phase.