Post-Op
ACL Rehab.
Criteria-based. Objective. No guessing when you're ready.
From day one after surgery through to full return to sport — our post-operative ACL program is built around objective data, criteria-based milestones, and sport-specific loading at every stage. You don't progress on time. You progress when your body is ready.
What makes us different
This isn't generic physio.
It's ACL-specific.
Most physiotherapy clinics treat ACL rehab as a series of exercises done over time. We treat it as a structured return-to-performance program with objective criteria, regular testing, and sport-specific demands at every stage.
You only move to the next stage when you pass the relevant criteria — strength targets, limb symmetry index, functional tests. Not because six weeks have passed.
AXIT force plates and VALD ForceFrame at every stage. We track limb symmetry, quad and hamstring strength ratios, and jump performance with real numbers, not subjective assessment.
Every ACL clinician at SportsFit has a specific sport background. They've treated — and often played — at the level you're trying to return to. Generic physio produces generic results.
Anti-gravity treadmill for early running, blood flow restriction for early quad loading, full strength gym for heavy loading phases. One facility, every tool you need.
The program
The SportsFit 5-Stage
Post-Op ACL Program.
Each stage has clear entry and exit criteria. You progress when you're ready — not when the calendar says so.
Protection Phase
Immediate post-operative management. Swelling control, wound care, range of motion restoration, and graft protection. Blood flow restriction and Compex electrical stimulation to minimise quad atrophy without compressive joint load. Weight-bearing progression guided by your surgeon's protocol.
Load Integration Phase
Progressive reintroduction of bodyweight and light loaded movement. Normal gait restoration, basic bilateral strength patterns, and neuromuscular retraining begins. Force plate assessments start tracking limb symmetry. Anti-gravity treadmill for early running mechanics without full body weight load.
Strength Accumulation Phase
The backbone of ACL rehabilitation. Heavy, progressive gym-based strength training. Quad, hamstring, glute, and posterior chain loading. VALD ForceFrame testing at regular intervals. You don't advance until limb symmetry targets are met — this is where most programs rush and re-injury rates spike.
Sport Specific Phase
Cutting, change of direction, pivoting, jumping, sprinting. Sport and position-specific loading. Reactive agility work. Confidence under pressure. Led by physiotherapists who play your sport — they know exactly what demands await you on the other side of rehab.
Return to Performance Phase
Formal return-to-sport clearance using our ACL Return-to-Performance Testing Protocol. Force plate assessment, VALD strength symmetry, hop testing, and functional movement screening. Our re-injury rate is 0% — because we don't clear athletes until the data says they're ready.
Common questions
FAQ — Post-Op ACL Rehab.
When should I start physio after ACL surgery?
As soon as possible — ideally within the first 1-2 days post-operatively. Early intervention reduces swelling faster, restores range of motion earlier, and minimises quad atrophy. The first few weeks of post-op rehab are critical to long-term outcomes.
How long does ACL rehab take?
9-12 months for a full return to competitive sport. The timeline varies based on the graft type used, your sport, your pre-operative strength, and how you respond to training. We use objective criteria to determine readiness — not fixed timelines.
Can I transfer from another physio?
Absolutely. We see ACL patients at every stage of rehab — whether you're 3 weeks post-op or 8 months in and not progressing as expected. We'll assess where you are, establish your current baseline, and take it from there.
What graft types do you have experience with?
All of them — patella tendon, hamstring, quadriceps tendon, and allograft. Each graft has different rehabilitation timelines and strength requirements, particularly in the early phases. Your program is adjusted based on your specific graft.
How often will I need to come in?
Typically 1-2 times per week for the first 3-4 months, then tapering to fortnightly as you progress to the strength and sport-specific phases. Frequency is adjusted based on your training load, response, and proximity to return-to-sport.
Start your post-op
rehab the right way.
Same-week appointments available at Five Dock and Gladesville. No referral needed.
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