After hours of riding the stationary bike in physical therapy you will be anxious to get back to playing sports. Remember that the bone and ligament takes time to gain full strength. One can begin running at about three to four months after the surgery and go back to full athletic participation at about six months. This is highly dependent on age, degree of associated injuries, and commitment to rehabilitation. The majority of athletes are able to return to their former level of competition.
Some athletes prefer to use a brace on their return to play.
Once healed, the reconstructed ligament should provide full stability. Therefore the braces, if used, are discarded. In conclusion, ACL injuries can seriously comprise your athletic performance and if uncorrected may result in further damage to the knee or a decreased functional level. Patients with an isolated ACL tear and moderate physical demands may respond well to physical therapy and brace wear alone.