Blog Post

ACL tears are among the most common injuries among both casual and pro athletes. Sustaining this injury can feel like a crushing setback, but ACL repair surgery doesn’t mean the end of your athletic career.

At Northeast Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, you’ll find a team of fellowship-trained specialists who bring advanced expertise to every step of your ACL care. This training ensures start-to-finish care, from the most advanced surgical techniques to the latest evidence-based rehabilitation strategies to guide your recovery.

Here’s what getting back in the game looks like after ACL repair surgery.

Why ACL repair is so crucial for athletes

Getting back to your sport starts with understanding why ACL repair and a structured recovery program are so critical for patients of any athletic ability.

An untreated ACL tear can lead to long-term knee pain, instability, and a greater risk of knee osteoarthritis. An ACL tear could even put you on the sidelines for good if you don't address the injury properly.

It's well worth the time to undergo ACL repair surgery and follow a structured recovery process because it gives you the very best chance of returning to the sport you love while minimizing your risk of a future injury as much as possible.  

This process requires patience, persistence, and expert guidance from our sports medicine specialists.

Physical therapy: The key to a strong comeback

Physical therapy isn’t just a box to check on your way to healing. It’s the foundation of your return-to-play journey.

At Northeast Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine, we offer on-site physical therapy, making it easy to move seamlessly from surgery to recovery. This continuity of care means your surgeon and physical therapist are working together to tailor a plan that’s specific to your goals, your sport, and your recovery timeline.

Rehab is where you rebuild not only your physical strength but also your confidence. The physical therapy process happens in stages.

Immediately after surgery

Following the repair procedure, the focus is on reducing pain and swelling while gently restoring mobility in your knee.

As you build strength and flexibility

As you progress, rehabilitation shifts toward strengthening the muscles around the joint, improving balance, and retraining movement patterns to protect your ACL from future injury.

As you prep to return to sport

In the later stages of physical therapy, athletes especially benefit from targeted activities that simulate real game situations. From pivoting and sprinting to quick directional changes, the right rehab program ensures your knee can handle the physical demands of competition in addition to everyday movement.

Because our providers care for athletes at all levels, from recreational players to professionals, we understand the drive to get back in the game safely. That’s why we place such emphasis on injury prevention education during recovery. Learning proper mechanics and strengthening vulnerable areas can help you avoid reinjury and stay competitive long term.

Timeline to return to play

While timelines for recovery vary, most athletes return to their sport around 6-12 months after surgery and rehab. Depending on the severity of the tear and the complexity of the surgery, your timeline could be different.

The key is to stay consistent with therapy, listen to your body, and lean on your care team at Northeast Orthopaedics & Sports Medicine for guidance. A safe return to the field, court, or track is always better than a rushed one.

With comprehensive care, advanced surgical expertise, and on-site rehabilitation, we give you the resources you need to come back stronger, with improved performance and resilience. Contact us today to book your appointment in San Antonio, Schertz, Live Oak, or New Braunfels, Texas.