• Patient full weight bearing with Zimmer splint ( may wear functional DonJoy Brace)
  

• Splint may discontinued at home, but still should be used outside if slippery conditions.

• Use the functional ACL sport brace when the pain and swelling has reduced.
  
  

The ACL functional brace.
Exercises and Activities

• Quadriceps exercises - straight leg raising in supine ( only if no quads lag)
  
  
• Double leg - progress to single leg squat ( to 45 * flexion)
  
  
• Hamstrings - If lack of full extension, start prone hangs with weight
  
  

• Step up /step down - start with 4" block and progress to 6" block
  
  
  
• Stair climber - progress slowly
  
  

• Stationary bike - to increase range of motion. This is one of the safest exercises in rehab, if the knee is not allowed to go into the last 30*.
  
  
  
• Swimming - if incisions are healed - begin with forward and backward walking in water - use buoy between knees to swim or use dolphin kick
  
  
• Progress proprioception from bilateral to single leg wobble board, no rotation
  
  
• Hip rotators with thera-band ( don't do if collateral ligament repair )
  
  

Goals

• Increase flexion to 135*
  
  
• Decrease swelling
  
  
• Increase muscle tone