My question is - I've seen a lot of posts and comments talking about prehab and doing PT before the surgery to get everything stronger in preparation and I wanted some recommendations on exercises to do. Avoid using stair-stepper machines, doing deep knee bends and squats or any exercise that causes crunching, clicking or pain at the kneecap. Improve strength in the muscles around the knee. Surgery is often required to repair an ACL injury. 2 weeks prior to surgery: Do not take any herbal medicines, weight-loss products or supplements 7 to 14 days before surgery. Exercises to regain muscle strength and knee motion should begin before you start treatment, whether treatment is a rehabilitation (rehab) program only or surgery plus rehab. You may ride the stationary bicycle daily for 10 to 20 minutes. The majority of ACL surgery patients will be prescribed a specific exercise program that focuses on regaining range of motion and gradually bearing weight on the knee. Summary Pre surgical exercises for ACL reconstruction surgery can be an important part of the process. These injuries usually occur in athletes who participate in high-impact sports including basketball, soccer and football. Physical Therapy and Rehab Before ACL Surgery. The goal of the initial rehabilitation phase is to gain full flexion and extension of the knee joint and then build balance and strength. ACL Injury: Exercises to Do Before Treatment After an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, you lose leg strength and motion and stability of the knee. Before discussing management for ACL injuries, let’s go through its anatomy. After an ACL injury, your knee will not be stable, may be painful, and may have a limited range of motion. At-Home Rehabilitation for ACL Injuries . It originates from the end of the femur (thigh bone) and connects to the beginning of the tibia (shin bone). Exercises to regain muscle strength and knee An ACL -- or anterior cruciate ligament -- injury is one of the most common knee injuries seen. The ACL is a ligament comprised of intertwining collagen fibres located the knee joint. Restore, as close as possible, the normal range of motion in the knee. These can be done prior to surgery if needed, or in conjunction with ongoing physical therapy. Balance exercises before ACL surgery are the most important to your ACL surgery rehab since you have likely been favouring your injured knee for awhile now. Medicines such as naproxen (Aleve) and ibuprofen (Advil or Motrin). It is important that you regain your leg strength and motion as soon as possible, whether you choose to have surgery for your ACL injury or not. Rehab activities depend on the aspects of your ACL injury. Do not take non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) for 7 to 10 days before surgery. Also, any tips on exercises to strengthen my very weak arms just in case I do need surgery and will have to use crutches. Before surgery, doctors often prescribe physical therapy — “prehabilitation” — to help: Reduce swelling in the knee. See What to eat before ACL surgery to recover faster. Doing these exercises will reduce your symptoms and you will be able to do glute sets, mini-squats, bridges, heel … Do the exercises daily for the first week, then decrease to every other day when using ankle weights. Some common exercises done in the preparation for ACL reconstruction surgery include straight leg raises, heel slides, and quad sets. 27) Spin / Recumbent Bike / Rowing machine - Cycling (or rowing) before or after ACL knee surgery can be one of the safest exercises for your knee to help it regain knee flexion. ACL Surgery Stories If you have had an ACL reconstruction, or are getting ready for this surgery, I want to hear your story. If faced with an ACL injury, there are a number of exercises you can do at home to better retain strength and movement without causing further injury to the ACL. Whether you have questions you want answered, or just want to share your experience, this is the place for you.