Avoiding Complications

Activity Restrictions

Avoiding complications such as rupturing of your healing graft can be done by comply meticulously with the recommended rehabilitation and contact Dr. Haber urgently if any problems occur.

Smoking delays wound healing delays the healing of the reconstruction and may be responsible for failure of the reconstruction. Please try to cease smoking as soon as you know your require a reconstruction as it takes at least 6 weeks for your body to recover from the effects of smoking.

Most weight bearing sports however are not permitted for at least 6 months.

The reason for this is that the new ligament undergoes changes as it adapts to its new location. When first put in, the new ACL is about twice as strong as the original ligament. However over the ensuing months, it loses strength as it remodels itself and becomes at risk of rupturing or stretching if pushed too far. Over the next few month  it is estimated that it rebuilds its strength and becomes on average 110% as strong as your original ligament. These changes take about 9 months to occur.  Playing weight bearing sports therefore are not allowed during the first 6 to 9 month period.

Over-all it is recommended that in the first 6 weeks  you may perform closed chain activities with walking exercises with no impact, twisting or turning. You may start a stationary bike. Commence swimming once wound has healed avoiding aggressive kicking

At 6 weeks you may commence:

• Shallow and deep water jogging and low-level functional/agility exercises at low speed and impact. 

• Straight-line jogging, No cutting or twisting

At around 3 months after surgery you can start:

• Surfing.

• Jogging program to straight line jogging on the flat.

• Start cycling on normal bicycle.

At 6 months you may:

• Return to training and participate in sport related exercises.

• Continue to improve power and endurance.

• Advice may be needed as for the for the  return to some sports.

Avoid high impact sports with twisting and cutting for nine months.

Criteria for return to competition: 

•  Full range of motion.

•  Normal balance and proprioception.

•  90% or better functional strength.

•  Absence of instability (swelling or give way).

The surgeries are successful about 85-92 percent of the time.

Copyright © 2005 [Southern Orthopaedics]