ACL Sprain Rehabilitation

By Phil Pask

A step-by-step rehabilitation program for mild to moderate anterior cruciate knee ligament sprains. Criteria-based, we take you from initial injury to full competition fitness.

It is based on what Phil would do with his elite International players but adapted for use by anyone. Progress through 5 phases at your own pace, meeting specific criteria before moving on.

Suitable for:

Mild to moderate ACL sprains

Level

From beginner to elite level

Time required:

10 – 40 mins daily

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Phil’s ACL sprain rehabilitation is available on our free-to-download mobile app.

Recover even stronger!

We don’t just aim to heal your injury with this program but enable you to come back even stronger than before.

We include mobility & stretching, strengthening, movement control, functional and activation exercises to prevent loss of fitness and function whilst recovering.

It is also suitable for those who may have recovered from an ACL sprain but wish to go further with their rehab to help prevent future injuries.

What’s included in our ACL sprain rehab program?

Treatment & healing

This covers how and when to apply treatment such as cold therapy & compression, heat & massage. We also include strapping & taping tutorials as well as when to use knee supports & braces.

Exercises

We include over 60 different ACL rehabilitation exercises with video demonstrations covering mobility & stretching, activation, strengthening, motion control/proprioception, and functional.

Expert guidance

Throughout the program, Phil Pask explains the aims of each phase and where you need to be before you can progress onto the next level.

He sets specific goals or benchmarks for you to achieve before moving on to the next phase, or rehabilitation.

Priority support

If you have any questions about the program or your progress through each phase, then get in touch with our qualified sports therapist for advice.

Our in-app support ticket system allows you to communicate directly with us.

Meet the program physiotherapist

Phil Pask

Phil is one of the World’s most experienced Sports Physiotherapists. He has been England Senior Rugby Team Physiotherapist since 1997, continuing his role in recent years as Consultant Physio to the team.

He was a player, physio, and head of performance at Northampton Saints from 1986 – 2002.

Go mobile!

Our sports injury rehabilitation mobile app tells you what treatment and exercises to do each day and tracks your progress.

  • Video based programs
  • Set alerts & reminders
  • Records daily progress

Download now!

Program content & structure

The program consists of 4 phases and a 5th injury prevention/mitigation phase:

Phase 1

The aim of phase one is to protect the injured ligament to allow it to repair to its optimal strength and as close to its original length as possible

Treatment methods include applying the PRICE principles of protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation to reduce pain and swelling.

Although rest is the priority during phase 1, there are a number of exercises you can still do.

Phase 2

The aim of phase 2 is to regain the normal range of movement and increase the ability of your knee to take a load in a controlled environment.

Treatment continues with cold therapy and compression but also massage techniques may be introduced.

Phase 3

The aim of Phase 3 is to prepare your ligament to withstand heavier loads throughout full range of movement of your knee.

You will progress to dynamic loading such as hopping, jumping, and running up to 75% pace.

Phase 4

The aim of Phase 4 is to prepare and return you to your sport/activity safely, with the ability to perform at your best with confidence.

Exercises become more demanding, with heavier loads and unpredictable movements.

Phase 5

We have included an additional fifth, ‘injury prevention’ phase for when you are back into normal sports training to help prevent your injury recurring. The aim here is to continue what you have learnt over the previous phases and ensure your injury does not recur. You are encouraged to incorporate selected exercises from phases 3 and 4 into your normal training routine.

Types of knee rehab exercises

MCL sprain rehabilitation is not just about strengthening your knee and the muscles around it. Our approach is to condition and work on other parts of the body as well. We use the following types of exercises:

Mobility & stretching

Quad stretch knee rehabilitation exercise

These aim to maintain a normal range of movement in the ankle, knee, and hips. They begin early in stage one with simple active ankle movements and gradually progress to more dynamic hip mobility drills.

Strengthening

Jumpers knee exercises

These exercises are aimed at maintaining and improving specific muscle strength around your knee joint. They begin with simple isometric exercises and become increasingly more demanding, with heavier loads and unpredicatable movements.

Activation

Glute band squat activation exercise knee rehabilitation

These exercises are all about keeping muscles firing and working properly, particularly the hip muscles. This is often overlooked with knee rehabilitation. If you have to rest for a period of time then they can ‘go to sleep’ and lose strength, leading to a slower recovery, or poor performance later when you get back to full fitness.

Movement control

Forward t knee rehab exercise

Movement control exercises are all about coordination, balance, and proprioception. Proprioception is how your body senses where parts of it are in space and are damaged when you are injured. Improving this is important for sports performance and preventing injury.

Functional knee rehab exercises

Functional knee rehab exercise

Functional exercises bridge the gap between basic rehabilitation and sports specific type drills. They begin with walking drills and progress through skipping-type sprint drills and agility training.

Conditioning

agility for knee rehabilitation

These are all about maintaining fitness as much as possible. In the early stages of rehabilitation, this might be arm-only swimming or concentrating on your upper body strength in the gym. Later on, running progressions involving acceleration runs, agility and intervals are included.

Sign up now!

Phil’s ACL sprain rehabilitation is available on our mobile app.

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