Your Physical Therapist's Guide to ACL Pre-Surgery Success

An ACL injury can feel like a daunting hurdle, especially if surgery is part of your recovery plan. However, there’s good news: what you do before surgery can significantly impact how quickly and effectively you recover. At Elevation Athletics Physical Therapy and Performance in Keller, TX, we emphasize ACL prehabilitation—or "prehab"—as an essential step in setting yourself up for post-surgical success. Prehab is more than just preparation; it’s a proactive approach to healing that strengthens your knee, reduces complications, and boosts your confidence for the journey ahead.

What Is ACL Prehab and Why Is It Important?

Prehab is a specialized program of physical therapy designed to prepare your body for surgery. It focuses on building strength, improving mobility, and reducing inflammation so that your knee is in the best condition possible going into the operation. Studies have shown that patients who undergo prehab experience faster recoveries, improved mobility, and better overall outcomes post-surgery.

The Key Goals of ACL Prehab:

1. Build Strength for Stability:
   An ACL injury can weaken the muscles surrounding your knee, such as the quadriceps, hamstrings, and glutes. Prehab targets these areas to create a stronger, more stable foundation. This strength also helps prevent further joint instability before surgery.
   
   
2. Maintain Mobility and Range of Motion:
   Injuries and swelling can limit your ability to bend or straighten your knee. Prehab focuses on stretching and mobility exercises to keep your knee moving as freely as possible. This prevents stiffness, which can complicate recovery.
   
   
3. Reduce Swelling and Pain:
   Inflammation is a natural response to injury, but excessive swelling can hinder your progress. Prehab includes techniques like icing, compression, and gentle movement to control inflammation and manage pain effectively.
   
   
4. Prepare Mentally for Recovery:
   Surgery can feel overwhelming, but prehab gives you a head start on post-surgical exercises. Familiarity with these movements builds confidence and reduces anxiety about the rehabilitation process.
   
   

How Elevation Athletics Physical Therapy Delivers Effective ACL Prehab

At Elevation Athletics, our approach to ACL prehab is personalized and rooted in the latest research. We believe every patient is unique, so we tailor your program to your specific injury, fitness level, and goals.

What to Expect in an ACL Prehab Program:

1. Strengthening Exercises:
   We’ll focus on key muscle groups that support the knee. Exercises like straight-leg raises, wall sits, and hamstring bridges improve strength and stability while minimizing strain on the injured ACL.
   
   
2. Flexibility and Mobility Work:
   Prehab sessions include stretches and joint mobilization techniques to maintain flexibility in the knee and surrounding areas, such as the hips and calves. For example, heel slides and seated knee extensions are common exercises to enhance range of motion.
   
   
3. Gait Training:
   If your injury has altered how you walk, we’ll work to restore proper gait mechanics. This prevents compensatory patterns that could lead to pain in other areas, like the hips or lower back.
   
   
4. Swelling and Pain Management:
   Techniques such as compression wraps, cold therapy, and gentle elevation reduce swelling and alleviate pain, keeping your knee in the best condition before surgery.
   
   
5. Functional Movements:
   Prehab incorporates functional exercises, like step-ups or mini squats, to mimic daily activities. These exercises not only build strength but also ensure you’re maintaining the movements you’ll need post-surgery.
   
   

When to Start ACL Prehab

It’s never too early to start prehab. Ideally, you should begin as soon as your ACL injury is diagnosed. Even a few weeks of focused prehab can make a significant difference in your recovery. If surgery is scheduled further down the road, additional prehab sessions will help you build strength and confidence over time.

What If You Don’t Do Prehab?

Skipping prehab can result in:

• Greater post-surgical stiffness.
• Prolonged recovery times.
• Increased difficulty regaining muscle strength and mobility after surgery.

Prehab is an investment in your recovery that ensures you return to activity as quickly and safely as possible.

Why Keller Trusts Elevation Athletics for ACL Prehab

At Elevation Athletics Physical Therapy and Performance, we understand that an ACL injury is more than a physical setback—it’s an emotional and mental challenge, too. Our team is dedicated to supporting you every step of the way, providing expert care that’s tailored to your needs. With our personalized approach, you’ll feel confident heading into surgery knowing you’ve done everything possible to set yourself up for success.

Don’t let your recovery wait until after surgery. Contact Elevation Athletics Physical Therapy and Performance in Keller, TX, today to start your ACL prehab journey and take control of your recovery!