Réhabital
ACL Injury Rehabilitation
An ACL tear is not just a knee injury — it is a multi-month project that needs a structured plan, objective criteria and patience. In Côte Saint-Luc our physiotherapy team supports patients before surgery, after surgery, and in non-operative cases, all the way back to running, sport, or simply normal confidence in the knee.
Book an AppointmentUnderstanding This Condition
The anterior cruciate ligament stabilises the knee by controlling forward tibial translation and rotation. Most tears are non-contact: a cut, a jump landing or a sharp deceleration with the knee collapsing inward. Patients typically describe an audible pop, rapid swelling within hours and a feeling of instability. The decision to operate depends on age, activity level, associated injuries (meniscus, cartilage, other ligaments) and functional stability. Some patients, particularly those who do not play pivoting sports, do very well with rehabilitation alone. In every case the quality of rehab determines the outcome more than the surgical technique. The programme runs in phases, and progression between phases rests on measurable criteria — full range, no effusion, quadriceps strength, single-leg control quality — not on elapsed time.
Common Symptoms
Common Causes
Non-contact mechanism
Sharp deceleration, pivoting or landing with the knee falling inward — the most common mechanism, especially in soccer, basketball and skiing.
Insufficient neuromuscular control
Weak glutes and poor dynamic valgus control significantly increase risk, particularly in female athletes.
Fatigue and training load
Most tears occur late in a game or training session, when coordination drops.
Previous knee injury
A poorly rehabilitated earlier injury leaves lasting strength and proprioception deficits.
Anatomical factors
Femoral notch geometry, tibial slope and general ligament laxity influence individual vulnerability.
Our Treatment Approach
Rehabilitation runs in four broad phases. The early phase, before or just after surgery, aims to clear the effusion, restore full extension and reactivate the quadriceps — a knee that lacks full extension at this stage carries the consequences for a long time. The strengthening phase progressively introduces closed-chain exercise, glute and hamstring work and resistance training. The return-to-running phase adds straight-line running, then change of direction, jumping and landing, with specific valgus-control work. The return-to-sport phase layers in sport-specific movements, speed and unpredictability. We use hop testing, limb symmetry strength measures and confidence questionnaires to validate each transition. Massage therapy helps manage compensatory tension, and osteopathy helps when the hip, ankle or pelvis restrict movement.
What to Expect at Your First Visit
The first visit takes about 60 minutes: injury history, knee examination, baseline measures and the start of the programme. After surgery weekly follow-up is usual for the first months, then spaced out. Return to pivoting sport typically falls between 9 and 12 months.
At-Home Self-Care Tips
- Do the prescribed exercises daily in short, regular sets.
- Watch swelling — an increase after activity signals too much load.
- Work on full extension every day from the start.
- Maintain general fitness (bike, swimming depending on phase).
- Sleep enough — tissue recovery depends on it.
- Do not skip stages, even if the knee "no longer hurts".
Prognosis & Recovery Timeline
With a structured programme most patients regain full function. Returning to pivoting sport before 9 months, or without reaching 90% strength symmetry, is associated with a much higher re-tear risk — which is why we validate every stage with objective criteria.
When to See Us at Réhabital
Come in promptly after a knee injury with swelling or instability, before or after surgery, or if a knee operated on months ago still feels weak and unreliable.
Why Réhabital Clinic
In Côte Saint-Luc our physiotherapy team guides ACL rehabilitation with measurable criteria rather than a fixed calendar, and collaborates with osteopathy and massage therapy to address hip and ankle compensations.
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Why Choose Réhabital?
Frequently Asked Questions
Address
D4-5800 Cavendish Blvd
Côte Saint-Luc, QC H4W 2T5
Phone
(438) 842-3550Hours
Mon–Fri: 10AM–8PM
Sun: 10AM–4PM
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