Data-Driven Recovery

ACL Pre-Operative
Rehab

Return to sport safely with clear benchmarks, expert guidance, and elite performance testing. We don't just heal your knee. We rebuild your athletic capacity.

Schedule a Pre-Op Visit
Next: Phase 1

Pre-Op

Pre-Surgery

Post-Op

After Surgery

Phase 1

Weeks 0–4

Phase 2

Weeks 5–12+

Phase 3

Weeks 20-36

Quantitative Testing

Ongoing

FAQs

Why Prehab Matters

A structured, milestone-based approach to ensure you earn the right to progress at every stage of your recovery.

Quad Strength

Build the Foundation Early

Reduce surgical stress and restore basic function so your knee can handle load again.

Primary Goals
  • Reduce swelling and inflammation
  • Restore full knee extension and flexion
  • Activate the quadriceps
  • Normalize walking mechanics
Interventions
  • Progressive weight-bearing
  • NMES & BFR for early strength

Improve ROM

Earn the Right to Progress

Develop enough strength and control to safely reintroduce running and higher impact.

Focus Areas
  • Quadriceps strength development
  • Single-leg control and endurance
  • Deceleration and movement control
Running Criteria

Introduced only when strength benchmarks are met, not just based on time. Structured loading progression.

Mental Prep

From Strength to Performance

Prepare for the chaotic demands of sport through higher-level strength, power, and agility work.

Key Benchmarks
  • Quad strength ≥ 90% symmetry
  • Hamstring-to-quad strength balance
  • Advanced strength and control testing
Performance Focus
  • Power production & Force absorption
  • Change of direction
  • Sport-specific movement
8 reasons to start before surgery

What Pre-Op Rehab Delivers

Starting physical therapy before surgery can make a big difference in your recovery. This phase helps you prepare both physically and mentally for what’s ahead.

  • Bridge the gap before surgery. Stay active and guided during the time between injury and your procedure.
  • Better ACL rehab after surgery. The quadriceps muscle weakens after surgery due to natural protective responses; prehab helps you start from a stronger place.
  • Improve motion and swelling. Working on knee movement and controlling swelling before surgery sets a better baseline.
  • Prevent deconditioning. Keep your body strong and conditioned safely while activity is limited.
  • Learn exercises ahead of time. Become familiar with crucial movements you will be given after surgery for knee range of motion and regaining quadricep muscle strength.
  • Set clear expectations. Understand the rehab process, timelines, and milestones before surgery.
  • Reduce stress. Meet your rehab team and get comfortable in a less stressful, pre-surgery setting.
  • Prepare mentally. Build confidence going into surgery and recovery.

What we work on before surgery

  • Quad strength. Pre-op quad weakness is one of the strongest predictors of slower post-op recovery.
  • Range of motion. Get full extension and flexion before surgery so the post-op restoration phase has a stronger starting point.
  • Prep the leg for surgery. Better tissue quality going in means better outcomes coming out.
Your first visit and the evidence behind prehab

What to Expect & Why It Works

What to expect at your first pre-op visit

Your first visit is led by Aaron Mueller. We assess strength, range of motion, and swelling, build you a personalized exercise plan, walk you through what surgery day and the days that follow will look like, and introduce you to the equipment we’ll use throughout your recovery: Tindeq dynamometer, force plates, and Blood Flow Restriction (BFR) training.

Disclaimer

Every patient is different. Your specific timeline and program will be tailored based on your injury, surgical plan, and progress. We work alongside your surgeon’s guidance throughout.

The research backs prehab

Multiple studies on ACL reconstruction outcomes show that patients who complete pre-operative physical therapy demonstrate stronger quadriceps function, better range of motion, and faster milestone achievement after surgery compared to those who go straight to surgery without prehab. The pre-op window is one of the highest-leverage periods in your recovery.

Your Recovery Roadmap

From pre-surgery prep to full return to sport, each phase has a purpose. Our process is built around clear benchmarks, advanced testing, and a plan that adapts to you.

Pre-Surgery
Pre-Surgery

Pre-Op

What you do before surgery directly impacts how well you recover after. This phase is focused on preparing your knee and your body for the demands of surgery and rehab.

We work on restoring range of motion, improving quad strength, and reducing swelling so your knee is in the best possible position going into surgery. Patients who commit to pre-op rehab consistently see better outcomes and a smoother recovery. You’ll leave with a clear plan, exercises to follow, and a full understanding of what to expect next.
Weeks 0–4
Weeks 0–4

Phase 1

This is the most critical early phase of recovery. The focus is on reducing swelling, restoring full knee extension, and reactivating your quadriceps. We guide you through safe, progressive movement immediately after surgery, using tools like neuromuscular stimulation, blood flow restriction, and targeted strength work to accelerate recovery without compromising the graft. Our goal is simple: get your knee “quiet” and functioning again so you can walk normally and move into the next phase with confidence.
Weeks 5–12+
Weeks 5–12+

Phase 2

Now we shift from recovery to performance. This phase is about rebuilding strength, control, and stability in the surgical leg. We don’t guess when you’re ready to progress, we test it. Using objective strength metrics and movement assessments, we ensure your body is prepared before introducing higher-level activity like running. You’ll follow a structured progression that builds tolerance step by step, reducing risk and setting the stage for long-term success.
Weeks 20-36
Weeks 20-36

Phase 3

This phase bridges rehab and real performance. You’re no longer just recovering, you’re preparing to return to sport at a high level. We build a program that combines strength, conditioning, and sport-specific movement. Training is structured, progressive, and designed to match the demands of your sport. By this stage, the focus is not just being “cleared,” but being fully prepared, confident, and capable when you step back onto the field.
Ongoing
Ongoing

Quantitative Testing

At every stage, we use advanced testing to guide decisions and eliminate uncertainty. From force plates and dynamometry to functional movement testing, we measure strength, symmetry, and performance so you know exactly where you stand. Return to running and return to sport are earned through data, not timelines. This ensures safer progression, better outcomes, and a higher level of performance when you’re back.

Ready to Start Stronger?

Don't leave your recovery to chance. Get a data-driven plan designed for elite performance.

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