It’s something you’ll hear over and over again during recovery after ACL injuries and surgery. We’ve gotta get your knee straight. In most cases, it is THE number one priority immediately after injury and then again after surgery. Getting your knee straight after ACL surgery (or more technically known as “full knee extension”) is correlated…
Athletes commonly ask us, “Is it ok to wait to have ACL surgery?” I’ll start this article with a few general thoughts and reasoning on the question and then we’ll take a quick look at a research study that was conducted in the British Journal of Sports medicine tackling the exact question. Keep in mind…
Before you read: This is a long one (5 minute read), but I didn’t want to leave a single word out.. it’s that important. The information in this post may appear “scary” on its surface, as it describes problems that can develop months after ACL surgery head on (no fluff here). I always take the…
The term “arthritis” is used a lot to make people believe they have a chance of developing a debilitating condition after ACL surgery. It’s a word that makes people feel like they aren’t necessarily in control of their recovery process or their long-term health. The truth is that arthritis isn’t as “big and scary” as…
There’s no getting around it — pain after ACL surgery is part of the process. Those who understand pain and how to interpret it will be able to use the information to optimize their recovery outcomes. They’ll understand when it’s ok to confidently push in to pain and when they may need to dial things…
The isometric wall squat is a staple of the Accelerate ACL program. When this exercise is performed correctly, it provides a host of benefits for athletes before and after ACL surgery. The exercise can be used for the following: Building strength in the quadriceps, hamstrings, glutes, and other supporting muscles of the hips Gradually exposing…
If you have read the white paper offered on the website, you have a strong understanding of the 7 biggest challenges associated with recovering from ACL surgery. This is an important first step in optimizing the recovery process, because you are now armed with the information needed to know what you’re up against. In this…
A lot of focus during recovery from ACL reconstruction is placed on restoring quad strength and size after surgery, and rightfully so. We shared a few tips on ways to efficiently do just that here and here. However, many athletes also have difficulty fully activating the calf muscle after surgery. This article will cover why…
One common term we like to throw around with Accelerate ACL athletes is “compensation pattern.” The term is used to describe an improper movement pattern that places more stress on parts of the body than normal (for example: for a number of reasons, running or jumping can put more stress into the knee than it…
As many of you reading this already know, ACL reconstruction surgery is far more than just a physical process. There is also a mental side to coming back from an ACL injury. The recovery process requires a great deal of mental fortitude in order to recover fully and return to sport with confidence. The mental…