ACL Injury Recovery: How To Prevent Re-Injury After Surgery

From ACL Surgery To Recovery

Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are a common knee injury that often requires surgery. The ligament is prone to tears, especially among athletes in contact sports. ACL reconstruction consists of removing and replacing the damaged ligament with a new tendon. After surgery, which is sometimes minimally invasive, the patient needs a lengthy recovery period. There is a temptation to return to normal activity quickly, but some patients may be worried about re-injury after surgery. Taking the necessary precautions during and after rehabilitation is essential for attaining optimal function and remaining injury-free in the months and years.

Can you re-injure your ACL?

ACL surgery has a high 90% success rate, with 10% of cases needing ACL revision after 10 or more years. These amazing statistics exclude the chances of re-injury, which can happen at almost any time after surgery. The risk of re-injury is especially high among athletes who return to contact sports. About 1 in 3 athletes suffer a re-injury within 24 months of ACL surgery. The rate of a second ACL injury, including the opposite knee, is about 6 times higher in athletes. While the risk is real, there are specific factors that increase the likelihood of re-injury after surgery. Patients who understand these risks and take necessary precautions are more likely to remain injury-free.

Stick to the plan

After surgery, each patient begins a detailed rehabilitation program. The patient needs several months of exercise, stretching, and other modalities. These exercises increase in duration and intensity with each passing month. Statistics show that recovery can take up to 12 months, especially for those who want to return to sports. Following the physiotherapist’s plan while progressing through exercises at the recommended pace matters. Even if the patient feels healthier, trusting in the process is vital. Deciding to exert oneself or participating in high-risk activities can compromise the new ACL graft. Re-injury can happen at that time or later in the timeline. Be patient and perform the exercises as instructed.

Keep sports on the back burner

Perhaps the easiest but often overlooked strategy is simply avoiding or delaying sports. Returning to sport as soon as possible is on the minds of athletes with ACL injuries. Participating too soon, however, dramatically increases injury risk. Athletes who return to sports before the 9-month period have a higher chance of injury. There are specific milestones athletes must meet to be declared fit to compete. The knee needs the right combination of rest and rehabilitation. While there are outliers, skipping steps to speed up a return to high-level competition leads to re-injury.

Strengthen around the knee

The leg is a complex limb that requires all muscles to work in harmony. The quadriceps, hamstrings, and even the calf muscles must be at optimal strength to support the knee. Physiotherapists recommend muscles should be at least 85% strength when compared to the uninjured side. The team will perform specific tests to determine if the surrounding muscles can support the knee. Returning to contact sports with lower levels of muscle strength is a high indicator of re-injury. Even factors such as muscle asymmetry can lead to re-injury. Increasing muscle strength to recommended levels can protect the new graft and keep patients safe.

Correct movement mechanics

Doctors can trace the cause of some ACL injuries to poor movement mechanics. Those same dangerous habits can lead to injury. Patients who are involved in sports should learn the most effective ways to land after jumping. Pivoting and change of direction exercises that minimize stress on the knee can limit injuries to the new graft or the opposite knee. Studies show that correcting these biomechanical issues is especially helpful for female patients. Women are more likely to suffer ACL injuries due to poor movement mechanics.

Adopt injury prevention routines

A clean bill of health and the go-ahead to return to sport is not a green light to stop injury prevention strategies. Strength and conditioning routines should become a habit for former ACL-injured patients. A comprehensive warm-up and cool-down should happen before and after any sporting event. Dynamic warm-up drills can reduce the risk of injury. Exercises and programs like yoga, Pilates, and other proprioceptive movements boost balance, flexibility, and pliability. These should become a daily habit to help with knee stability and function.

Avoiding re-injury is possible

ACL reconstruction is a fantastic surgical procedure that supports a return to normal activities. Athletes, in particular, rely on surgery to return to sport at peak levels. The success rate of the surgery has grown significantly, but this does not remove the risk of re-injury. Failure to follow the detailed, often lengthy rehabilitation process can lead to failed grafts. Injuring the opposite ACL is also possible. Remain patient and trust the medical team. Delay returning to high-impact sports for as long as possible while performing exercises to optimize healing, knee function, and strength.