Post-Surgical Orthopaedic Rehabilitation (ACL, Meniscus, Rotator Cuff)

ACL reconstruction rehabilitation is one of the most researched topics in sports medicine, and the evidence has converged on a set of clear principles that are not yet universally applied in practice: rehabilitation should be criteria-based rather than time-based; return to sport should not occur before achieving 90% limb symmetry on strength and hop testing; the late-stage rehabilitation phase should include high-load, high-speed, sport-specific conditioning; and psychological readiness should be assessed alongside physical capacity before clearance is granted.

At this practice, ACL rehabilitation follows a structured phase-based protocol with clear objective criteria governing advancement between phases. Phase one focuses on regaining full passive knee extension, reducing swelling, and activating the quadriceps. Phase two builds quadriceps and hamstring strength, restores normal gait, and introduces cycling for cardiovascular fitness maintenance. Phase three introduces progressive strength work, single-leg exercises, and neuromuscular control training. Phase four adds high-load strength work, plyometrics, and change-of-direction drills. Phase five delivers sport-specific conditioning and return-to-play clearance testing. No athlete is cleared for return before meeting the objective criteria, however long that takes.

Meniscal repair and partial meniscectomy rehabilitation, rotator cuff repair management, and total joint replacement rehabilitation follow similarly structured, criteria-based pathways adapted to the specific tissue healing requirements of each surgical procedure.