Physiotherapy and rehabilitation in East Melbourne
Physiotherapy for ACL injuries
SOS Clinic provides ACL rehabilitation in East Melbourne, both for people managing an ACL tear without surgery and for people recovering from ACL reconstruction.
What is an ACL injury?
The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) runs through the middle of the knee. It stops the shin bone sliding forward and twisting under the thigh bone. It is usually torn in a sudden change of direction, an awkward landing or a tackle. Many people feel a pop, the knee swells within hours and it feels unstable afterwards.
An ACL tear often comes with other damage, such as a meniscus tear or bone bruising, so a careful assessment and usually an MRI scan are needed. Read more about ACL injuries.
Do I need surgery?
Not everyone does. Some people regain a stable, well-functioning knee with structured rehabilitation alone, particularly if they do not play pivoting sport. People who want to return to sports with cutting and pivoting, or whose knee keeps giving way, are more likely to be advised to have a reconstruction. If reconstruction is being considered, your GP can refer you to a knee surgeon who performs it. The physiotherapists at the clinic rehabilitate people before and after ACL reconstruction, whoever performed the operation.
What happens at the first appointment?
Your physiotherapist asks how the injury happened and what you want to get back to. They check swelling, movement, strength and how the knee feels when loaded. In the early weeks the aims are to settle swelling, get the knee fully straight and switch the thigh muscles back on.
What does rehabilitation involve?
- Early work on swelling, full knee straightening and thigh muscle activation
- Strengthening for the quadriceps, hamstrings, hips and calves
- Balance and landing practice, building up to running
- Agility, change of direction and sport-specific drills
- Strength and hop testing before a return to sport
How long does it take?
ACL rehabilitation takes time. After a reconstruction, a return to pivoting sport usually takes at least nine months, and depends on meeting strength and movement targets as well as time. People managing without surgery also need several months of structured work.
How do I know I am ready to return to sport?
Strength and movement testing at the clinic compares the injured leg with the other side. The results help your physiotherapist decide when to step up training and when a return to sport is reasonable.
Knee physiotherapy at SOS Clinic
Associate Professor Amir Takla and Imogen Clark are the physiotherapists at SOS Clinic. They work in the same rooms as Professor Phong Tran at 166 Gipps Street, East Melbourne, so care can move between physiotherapy and a surgical opinion without starting again.
More on knee physiotherapy
Evidence and further reading
Filbay SR, Grindem H. Evidence-based recommendations for the management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rupture. Best Pract Res Clin Rheumatol. 2019;33(1):33-47.
Arrange physiotherapy at SOS Clinic
Visit Specialist Orthopaedic Surgery Clinic at St Francis Building, Ground Floor, 166 Gipps Street, East Melbourne VIC 3002. Bring any relevant scans and a list of the activities you would like to return to.
Book an appointment or call (03) 9928 6161.
This information is general. Follow the advice and precautions provided by your own surgeon and physiotherapist.