3139 Anterior Cruciate Ligament Physiotherapy: Early rehabilitation
0 (0 Likes / 0 Dislikes)
Hello.
You have recently had surgery
to repair your anterior
cruciate ligament, or ACL.
Now that you are home
and becoming stronger
after your operation, it is
time to start some new exercises
to continue your recovery
and improve the strength,
movement and function of your knee.
Ideally you should
see a physiotherapist
who will give you guidance about which exercises in this video
are appropriate for you
at this stage of your recovery.
Try to gradually stop
using your elbow crutches
as soon as you feel safe to do so.
Your physiotherapist will
help guide you with this.
It is crucial for your recovery that
you go for a walk every day.
Start slowly, and gradually build
up your speed and distance.
Once you feel that your
knee is becoming stronger
and you are walking with ease,
you can start to use an
exercise bike to gently
get the knee moving.
Start off slowly and
comfortably with no resistance.
Increase the speed and resistance gradually over a period of time.
We recommend that you should do each of the following exercises
for 15 repetitions, at least three times a day, or more if you can tolerate it.
Stand with your feet hip width apart,
with your finger tips on a table
or chair in front of
you for support if needed.
Gently bend your knees, hold for 1 second, and then stand up straight.
You should only dip a little
way at this stage in your recovery.
Make sure you keep your
back straight throughout.
Stand with your feet shoulder width apart and your knees slightly bent.
Push up into a tip-toe position.
Slowly lower your heels
back down to the floor.
Stand in front of a solid table
with a chair behind you.
Put one foot in front
of the other, heel touching toes,
with your legs straight,
but not locked.
Make sure you keep
your back straight
and your buttocks squeezed in.
Look ahead, and
when you feel balanced,
lift your hands up from the table.
Try to maintain your balance in this
position for a few seconds.
As you get more confident,
hold the pose for longer
and try doing it
with your eyes closed.
Lay on your front on a
bed or on the floor.
Hook your non-operated
leg in front of the operated leg.
Bend both knees, using your
stronger leg to assist the injured leg.
As this gets easier you can start to lift the operated leg on its own.
Lay on your side with both
knees bent to 90 degrees,
with your heels in line
with your bottom and back.
Keep your feet together
and slowly lift your top knee
away from your
bottom knee, like a clam.
Slowly lower your knee back
down to the starting position.
It is important that you do
not let your lower back roll
backwards when you do this.
Keeping one hand on your upper
hip can help to stabilise you.
Repeat this exercise on both sides.
If you have any problems
with any of these exercises,
please speak to your physiotherapist.