Activecare Physical Therapy
ACL Rehab in Erie
Regain Mobility and Strength with ACL Rehab in Erie
Have you injured your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) or undergone ACL reconstruction surgery? At Activecare Physical Therapy, our experienced orthopedic therapy team provides personalized ACL rehab to help you fully recover strength, range of motion, and functional abilities so you can return to your active lifestyle.
A Customized Approach to Heal Your ACL injury
An ACL injury often leads to instability, muscle weakness, stiffness, and loss of function in your knee. Our ACL rehab programs are tailored to your unique needs with the goal of:
- Restoring full range of motion and eliminating swelling/pain
- Rebuilding lower body strength and power
- Enhancing balance, agility and coordination through proprioceptive training
- Allowing a safe, gradual return to sports and rigorous activity
With one-on-one care from licensed experts, we create customized treatment plans consisting of targeted exercises, hands-on manual therapy, and advanced functional retraining using equipment like resistance bands, plyometrics, and more.
Who Can Benefit From Professional ACL rehab in Erie?
Our Erie ACL rehab programs are designed for:
- Athletes who have suffered an ACL tear and undergone reconstructive surgery
- Individuals with partial or complete ACL ruptures looking to avoid surgery
- Anyone experiencing instability, buckling, or “giving out” of their knee
- People having difficulty with activities due to lingering ACL pain/weakness
- Those wanting to prevent future ACL strains or knee injuries
Patsy Bennett
I have been at Activecare Physical Therapy over the last 3 years for a couple of issues. First for my hip, before surgery, then again after tendon repair. Later I went for therapy on my shoulder, once again, before surgery. Ehren was great; he was especially helpful with letting the doctor and insurance company know that therapy was not going to help the problem. As it was, I needed a complete new shoulder!
Ehren is very good at listening, and explaining the way things work. I have other issues that impact the therapy and what I can do, and he was always willing to find another exercise that would help without exacerbating my problems.
This last time (just “graduated” in mid-December 🙂 I also worked with Kendra who was always encouraging and innovative, too, pushing me just enough.
I hope (fingers crossed) I will not need therapy again, but if so, I will definitely be back at Activecare. I would recommend them for anyone.
Debra Weindorf
Fantastic Therapist, Julie. This is my third time in PT in a year since a fall that broke my arm and led to a shoulder replacement and she’s the first one to help with the pain. She’s also working on my jaw at the same time which was also injured in the fall. I can’t even compare her to the first therapy office I went to. It’s like night and day. I highly recommend Activecare and Therapist Julie.
If pain, stiffness, and muscle weakness is holding you back from the activities you love, our experts can help you recover with less risk of re-injury.
The Advantages of Working With Activecare Physical Therapy Orthopedic Therapists
What sets our ACL rehab program apart is our whole-body approach focused on restoring function for your unique goals and lifestyle.
Benefit 1: Improved Functional Recovery
ACL rehab focuses on restoring not only strength and range of motion but also functional abilities like balance, agility, and coordination. This comprehensive approach helps patients:
- Regain the ability to walk, run, jump and pivot without pain or instability
- Restore muscle strength to >90% to meet functional demands
- Redevelop proper movement patterns to perform occupational tasks
- Return to sports/activities confidently with a low risk of re-injury
Benefit 2: Reduced Risk of Reinjury
Through targeted exercises and proprioceptive training, ACL rehab helps improve neuromuscular control and joint stability, reducing the risk of:
- Future ACL tears (up to 60% less likely)
- Meniscus tears or cartilage damage
- Other knee ligament sprains or instabilities
By addressing underlying weaknesses and imbalances, patients can better protect their knee joint during movement and athletic endeavors.
Benefit 3: Personalized Treatment Plans
Orthopedic therapists tailor ACL rehabilitation programs to each individual’s specific needs, considering factors like:
- Severity of original injury (partial vs complete ACL tear)
- Graft choice and surgical approach
- Presence of concomitant knee injuries (meniscus, cartilage, etc.)
- Healing constraints and functional limitations
- Fitness goals and intended activities post-rehab
This personalized approach ensures that patients receive appropriate care and support throughout their recovery journey, optimizing outcomes.
What to Expect With Activecare Physical Therapy ACL rehab Services
Phase 1: Early Rehabilitation (Weeks 0-2)
Goals: Control swelling/pain, prevent muscle atrophy, restore early ROM
- Cold compression therapy to reduce swelling
- Passive range of motion (PROM) and heel slides
- Quadriceps activation and gluteal strengthening
- Straight leg raises and other muscle re-education
- Gait training with crutch ambulation
Phase 2: Moderate Rehabilitation (Weeks 3-6)
Goals: Improve strength and flexibility, increase weight bearing
- Progressive resistance training for quads and hamstrings
- Total leg strengthening complexes (squats, lunges)
- Advanced flexibility through stretching
- Agility challenges (ladder drills, lateral movements)
- Aquatic therapeutic exercises
Phase 3: Advanced Rehabilitation (Weeks 7-9+)
Goals: Maximize power and endurance, return to function
- Running and multi-directional movement programs
- Plyometric exercises to enhance power
- Sport/activity-specific agility drills
- Isokinetic testing for return-to-play decision making
- Maintenance program to prevent future re-injury
Our certified specialists provide ongoing assessments and modifications throughout recovery to ensure you’re progressing safely to meet each phase’s goals while returning to your highest level of function.
FAQs: Learning More About Activecare Physical Therapy ACL Rehab in Erie
What does ACL rehab consist of?
ACL rehab is a progressive, multi-phase recovery program that consists of various strength training exercises, flexibility/ROM activities, balance challenges, agility drills, and more – all customized to meet the patient’s functional goals.
What should be avoided during ACL rehab?
Activities that should be avoided early on include high-impact exercises like running/jumping, contact sports, and excessive uncontrolled movements like sudden pivots or twists. Your therapist determines when it is safe to gradually introduce these activities again.
What makes an ACL injury worse?
Continuing intense activity on an unstable, untreated ACL can lead to further damage like meniscus tears, cartilage injury, and other trauma. Appropriate immobilization followed by expert-guided rehabilitation can optimize healing without severity progression.
Why is ACL rehab so hard?
ACL rehab is challenging because it requires dedication to a progressive program targeting muscular endurance, proprioceptive acuity, multi-plane joint control, and symmetry. With hard work and persistence guided by our compassionate experts, you can overcome obstacles during your ACL recovery.
About The Author
G. Ehren Trost, a Owner, Physical Therapist, empowers patients to unlock their full potential in Physical Therapy. Years of experience fuels their passion for helping individuals reclaim vibrant lives. At Activecare Physical Therapy in Erie, G. Ehren Trost combines innovative techniques with personalized care, tackling a broad spectrum of physical challenges.
Take Control of Your ACL Recovery in Erie
If you have suffered a setback in mobility and strength from an ACL injury, the road to recovery can feel long and frustrating. But with our personalized, whole-body approach to orthopedic therapy, we can help you rebuild functional abilities quickly and safely. Call Activecare Physical Therapy in Erie today to schedule your ACL evaluation or request an appointment online to get started. We look forward to helping you recover confidence in your knee and return to fulfilling activities free of instability and pain.