Meet Colleen—a guard for the Archbishop Wood HS women’s basketball team. When she tore her right ACL and medial meniscus, her season came to an unexpected halt. It was a major setback, but Colleen approached ACL recovery with the same focus and determination she shows on the court. Working closely with our PT, Taylor, she spent months rehabbing to get back to the sport she loves.
Starting with the Basics
The first step in Colleen’s rehab was simple: restoring her knee’s range of motion. We began with range-of-motion exercises and neuromuscular re-education to retrain her muscles and restore natural movement. These early exercises may have seemed small, but they were essential to setting the foundation for the rest of her recovery.
Rebuilding Strength and Stability
Once Colleen regained mobility, the focus shifted to strength training to stabilize her knee and rebuild muscle in her injured leg. She worked through lower-extremity loading exercises, gradually increasing resistance under close supervision. The goal was to challenge her safely—building strength without risking re-injury. With each bit of progress, it was clear she was moving in the right direction.
Measuring Progress with Strength Testing
After making progress, we used a dynamometer to compare the strength of her injured leg with her healthy one. Our goal was to bring her injured leg to within 15% of her uninjured side’s strength before advancing to the next phase. Reaching that benchmark was a key milestone, confirming Colleen was ready for more challenging movements.
Adding Plyometric Training
Next, we introduced plyometric drills to prepare Colleen for the quick, explosive movements required in basketball. These drills focused on landing mechanics, deceleration, and balance—skills essential for handling the demands of the game. This phase wasn’t just about function; it was also about rebuilding her confidence in her body’s ability to perform.
Using Force Plates for Precision
To fine-tune her movements, we used force plates to track how she distributed weight during jumps and landings. This data gave us valuable insights into her movement patterns and allowed us to adjust her training. The goal was to ensure she was moving efficiently and to minimize the risk of re-injury.
Gradually Returning to Basketball
Once Colleen was ready, we slowly brought basketball drills back into her routine. We started with simple movements, gradually building to more complex drills that mimicked game situations. These sessions helped her regain both her skills and endurance. Alongside the drills, we included aerobic conditioning to make sure she could keep up with the demands of the game.
Back on the Court
Colleen is now back on the court, playing the game that was put on hold. Thanks to her hard work and a thoughtful recovery plan, Colleen is ready to start the season strong. Where you choose to do your recovery matters — at Petroski Physio, we design programs tailored to the specific demands of your sport, helping you return stronger and ready to compete.