The Importance of Physiotherapy Prior to an ACL Surgery

ACL Prehabilitation
ACL tears are a common injury in sports and physical activities that involve jumping, pivoting, and sudden changes of direction. ACL surgery can be daunting, and it takes months of hard work and dedication to get back to your previous level of function. However, one often overlooked aspect of ACL recovery is physiotherapy prior to surgery. Prehabilitation can help reduce swelling, improve range of motion, build strength and stability in your knee, hip and core muscles, and maintain your cardiovascular fitness. In this blog post, we’ll explore the importance of physiotherapy prior to ACL surgery and how it can contribute to your post-operative success.

Pre-Surgery Goals
Prehabilitation, also known as preventative rehabilitation, is a critical component of ACL surgery preparation. The goals of pre-surgery physiotherapy are to:

• • Reduce knee swelling
  • Regain full range of motion
  • Improve the strength and stability of the knee, hip, and core muscles
  • Maintain cardiovascular fitness
    By achieving these goals before surgery, you’ll have a smoother recovery process after surgery.

  When you have more strength and stability in your knee prior to surgery, you’re also more likely to have better clinical outcomes post-surgery. Stronger muscles can help protect your knee and promote healing, thus reducing the risk of complications or re-injury.

  Prevent Atrophy
  Another important benefit of physiotherapy prior to ACL surgery is to prevent muscle atrophy or weakening. When you sustain an ACL injury, individuals often do not use their knee as they normally would. This lack of activity can cause the muscles around your knee to weaken, which makes it more challenging to rebuild your strength after surgery. By engaging in pre-surgery physiotherapy, atrophy of key muscles is reduced, which helps protect your knee and improve your recovery time.

  Improve your Range of Motion and Stability
  Range of motion is a key component of ensuring your knee is functioning properly post-ACL surgery. Pre-surgery physiotherapy can help improve range of motion of the knee, while working on stability in and around your knee joint, hips and core. Stretching, range-of-motion exercises, and balance or proprioception exercises can all help with maintaining joint mobility and stability.

  Strengthen Key Muscle Groups
  Another goal of pre-surgery physiotherapy is to strengthen the key muscle groups that are involved in knee stability and movement. This includes the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and abductors. Building strength in these muscle groups can help improve your overall knee function and reduce the risk of re-injury after surgery. Targeted strengthening can also help reduce pain and help you return to your usual activities more quickly after surgery.
  

  Maintain Cardiovascular Fitness
  When you’re not using your lower extremity muscles due to injury, your overall fitness can suffer. By engaging in cardiovascular exercises such as cycling, swimming, or upper-body strength training, you can help maintain your overall fitness level and prepare your body for the challenges of surgery and recovery.
  

  Optimize Function and Recovery
  Prehabilitation can help optimize function and recovery post-surgery through exercises that target proprioception and neuromuscular control. Proprioception refers to the body’s ability to sense its position in space, and neuromuscular control refers to the body’s ability to coordinate muscle movements. Your physiotherapist will help you work on these functions with safe and controlled exercises. By improving these areas pre-surgery, you’ll be better prepared to regain your function and mobility post-surgery.
  

  The Role of Physiotherapy in Pre- and Post-Operative Success
  Physiotherapy prior to ACL surgery is an essential part of preparing for a successful recovery. Pre-surgery physiotherapy can help reduce swelling, improve range of motion, build strength and stability in the lower extremity, prevent muscle atrophy, and maintain your cardiovascular fitness. By achieving these goals before surgery, you are more likely to have better clinical outcomes post-surgery. By engaging in this preventative rehabilitation beforehand, you can help ensure your recovery is as smooth and successful as possible.