Rebuilding the foundation: The first steps after ACL surgery
You’ve probably been told recovery from ACL surgery is a long road, and it can be. But the early phase matters more than most people realize. The way you move, load, and trust your knee in the first few weeks sets the tone for everything that follows. At Petroski Physio, ACL rehab isn’t about rushing timelines or checking boxes. It’s about restoring confidence, rebuilding strength the right way, and creating a clear path back to sport and life, without setbacks.
Nick Petroski, DPT
Petroski Physio
The Real First Step: Regaining Confidence
After ACL surgery, it’s normal to feel hesitant about your knee, even if the surgery itself was successful. Swelling, stiffness, and instability can make everyday movements feel unfamiliar. Before we talk about performance, we focus on helping you feel safe and in control again.
This phase is about reconnecting your brain to your body: understanding what’s normal, what’s expected, and what your knee is capable of, right now.
Common Pitfall #1
Pushing too hard too soon. Aggressive loading before proper movement control often leads to swelling, compensation, and delayed progress.
Common Pitfall #2
Doing too little out of fear. Avoiding movement altogether can slow strength gains and prolong stiffness, making later phases harder than they need to be.
Our Approach
ACL rehab isn’t one-size-fits-all. We break the recovery process into clear, progressive phases so you always know why you’re doing something and what comes next.
Phase 1: Restore movement and control
We focus on reducing swelling, restoring range of motion, and rebuilding basic strength — while protecting the graft and respecting healing timelines.
Phase 2: Build strength and resilience
As your knee tolerates more load, we progress strength, stability, and coordination. This phase is about preparing your body, not just your knee, for real-world demands.
Phase 3: Return to sport and performance
Jumping, cutting, sprinting, and sport-specific movements are reintroduced with intention. Decisions are based on objective testing, movement quality, and confidence, not arbitrary timelines.
“After ACL reconstruction and meniscus repair, choosing Petroski Physio was the best decision I made. As a Division I softball player, I needed an environment that would push me physically and mentally… and they delivered. I returned to play feeling strong and confident, and I can’t recommend this team enough.”
FAQs
Rehab, different.
Not a clinic. Not a gym.
A place built for progress.
A team built for performance.
A culture built for you.
Recovery Stories
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Patellar Tendinopathy: Returning for a Critical Senior Season
Stronger for recruitment after overcoming patellar tendon pain.
