What Is an ACL Injury?

An ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injury involves damage to one of the key stabilizing ligaments of the knee. This injury commonly occurs during sports that involve sudden stops, pivoting, or changes in direction.

Diagnosis of an ACL injury should be made by a licensed medical doctor through appropriate clinical examination and imaging when required.

Individuals May Experience

• Knee instability or “giving way”

• Swelling around the knee

• Pain during movement or weight-bearing

• Difficulty with cutting, pivoting, or jumping

• Reduced confidence in the knee during activity

What Contributes to an ACL Injury?

Several factors may influence ACL injury risk and recovery, including:

• Sudden directional changes or pivoting movements

• Weakness in the quadriceps or hamstrings

• Poor neuromuscular control

• Reduced hip and core stability

• Inadequate rehabilitation following injury

These factors may affect how the knee stabilizes during dynamic movement.

How Physiotherapy May Help

Physiotherapy rehabilitation focuses on restoring knee stability, strength, and movement control.

Treatment may include:

• Progressive strengthening of quadriceps and hamstrings

• Neuromuscular and balance training

• Movement retraining for jumping and landing

• Sport-specific rehabilitation

• Gradual return-to-sport programming

• Education on load management and injury prevention

These rehabilitation strategies help improve knee stability and support a safe return to activity.

Book an Assessment

If you’re recovering from an ACL injury or surgery, our team can assess your strength and movement patterns to guide a structured rehabilitation plan.