ACL Recovery

Personalized rehab to get you back to sport — stronger, faster, and smarter

An ACL tear can feel like everything's on pause, your workouts, your sport, your momentum. But recovery doesn’t have to be confusing, frustrating, or cookie-cutter.

At Athletic Edge Physical Therapy, we help athletes and active adults rehab their ACLs with a clear plan, expert-level care, and a return-to-sport focus that goes beyond just “feeling better.” We’re here to help you move better than before — with fewer setbacks and smarter progressions.

San Diego physical therapist guiding ACL recovery with one-on-one knee assessment at Athletic Edge PT.

Torn Your ACL? Here's What Happens Next.

Whether you’ve already had surgery (like an ACL reconstruction) or you’re managing a partial tear conservatively, your rehab timeline matters — a lot.

The ACL isn’t just about the knee. It’s about how your whole body works together — from balance and control to landing mechanics, strength, and speed. That’s why our ACL recovery plans include more than just stretching and quad sets.

We take you through every stage of the process, including:

  • Pre-op “Prehab” (if you're waiting for surgery)

  • Early post-op recovery (reducing pain, restoring mobility)

  • Progressive strength and neuromuscular control

  • Return-to-run assessments

  • Agility, plyometric, and sport-specific training

  • Confidence and performance testing before return to play

We Focus on the Whole Picture

ACL rehab at AEPT includes:

  • Manual therapy to address scar tissue and joint mobility

  • Full kinetic chain strengthening (not just the quads)

  • Movement retraining for safer landings, direction changes, and pivots

  • Balance and proprioception drills to retrain your nervous system

  • Return-to-sport testing so you know when you're truly ready

You’ll work 1-on-1 with a Doctor of Physical Therapy — not a tech or an intern — every step of the way.

Not Just Healing — Rebuilding Performance

Our goal isn’t to just “get your knee working again.” We help you return to your sport — whether that’s CrossFit, soccer, running, surfing, skiing, or pickup basketball — with full function and confidence.

We assess how your body is moving at every phase. Because the truth is, returning too soon (or without enough prep) is the #1 risk factor for re-injury. We don’t just count time — we measure readiness.

Physical therapist coaching soccer player through ACL recovery agility drills at Athletic Edge PT in San Diego.

Ready to Start Your ACL Recovery?

You don’t have to navigate rehab alone. Let’s build a smarter recovery plan together — and help you come back stronger than ever.

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Frequently Asked Questions About ACL Recovery

  • On average, ACL recovery takes 6–12 months, depending on your surgery type, sport, goals, and how your body responds. But we don’t just go by the calendar — we go by performance milestones. At AEPT, we’ll guide you through each phase of rehab and conduct return-to-sport testing so you know when you’re truly ready — not just “cleared.”

  • Yes — it’s called prehab, and it can make a huge difference. Pre-surgical ACL rehab helps:

    • Reduce swelling and inflammation

    • Restore basic mobility and quad activation

    • Set you up for a smoother post-op recovery
      We’ll also help you mentally and physically prepare for the road ahead with a clear plan and support from Day 1.

  • Absolutely — in fact, progressive strength training is a critical part of successful ACL recovery. We tailor your program to your healing stage, starting with isolated strength (like quad sets and glute bridges), then progressing to compound movements, single-leg strength, and eventually sport-specific loading. You’ll always know what’s safe, effective, and appropriate for your timeline.

  • This depends on healing, strength symmetry, neuromuscular control, and movement quality — not just weeks on the calendar. Most people start a return-to-run progression between 12–16 weeks post-op, but only after passing specific movement and strength tests. At Athletic Edge Physical Therapy, we’ll make sure your body is truly ready to absorb force and move efficiently before you hit the pavement or field.

  • We use objective testing to assess:

    • Limb symmetry

    • Landing mechanics

    • Strength ratios (hamstring:quad)

    • Power and agility

    • Movement quality under fatigue

    Using tools like VALD force plates, DynaMo strength testing, and sport-specific drills, we’ll give you clear data — not just gut feelings — to guide your return. You’ll know exactly where you stand.

  • Yes — and in most cases, we encourage it. The key is training around your injury, not ignoring it. We’ll help you modify lifts, adjust volume, and focus on movements that support your recovery without compromising healing. Our goal is to keep you as active and engaged as possible, even during early stages.

  • Because we treat the whole athlete, not just the knee. At AEPT, you’ll get:

    • 1-on-1 sessions with a Doctor of Physical Therapy

    • A personalized plan tailored to your sport and body

    • Real-time feedback and movement coaching

    • Cutting-edge testing and performance tracking

    • A focus on long-term outcomes, not just pain relief

    We don’t discharge you just because your knee bends — we support you all the way back to cutting, jumping, sprinting, and competing with confidence.

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