ACL Reconstruction: What Does The Physical Therapy Program Entail? - Dr. Mullen

Dr. Mullen:
Let me tell you a little bit about what to expect after you’ve had your ACL reconstructed.

Physical therapy typically starts within two days. In the beginning it’s hard to really get your leg up and down, go up and downstairs, drive a car, but we can usually get you doing those activities within a week.

It’s important to participate with physical therapy a few times a week for maybe as much as two to three months, just until we can get you walking without a limp, get all of your range of motion back and most of your strength.

Women often ask me too, “When can I get back to normal? How long is the whole process?”

And for that, everybody is a little bit different. Some women are back and they feel very normal within three to four months, but the average is going to be about six months before everybody can get back to sports, jumping, pivoting and aggressive exercise.

About Dr. Daniel J. Mullen, M.D.:
Dr. Daniel J. Mullen, M.D., specializes in reconstructive procedures of both the knee and shoulder. He did his undergraduate studies at the University of Notre Dame. He went to medical school at Temple University in Philadelphia and did his orthopaedic training in Baltimore centered out of Union Memorial Hospital. He also worked at Johns Hopkins University Hospital and the Shock Trauma Center. He did a fellowship at the Cleveland Clinic in Ohio where he was assistant team doctor for the Cleveland Browns, the Cleveland Cavaliers, and the spring training division of the Cleveland Indians. He has authored numerous articles and textbook chapters and delivered many research and teaching presentations on surgery of the knee and the shoulder on both a national and international level. He volunteers his time and resources to help the local high school athletes during their sporting seasons. He lives in Gilbert, AZ, with his wife and two boys.

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• Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury