29/10/2026
The hardest part of ACL recovery is that the knee feels ready long before it actually is.
Walking is comfortable, the swelling has settled, and it’s easy to assume you’re nearly there. But the graft and the surrounding muscles need far longer to recover than the knee itself might suggest.
It is, however, extremely important to follow your physiotherapy rehabilitation programme to maintain range of motion and rebuild muscle strength. The more effective the rehabilitation, the better the outcome for your knee.
Straight-line running comes first. Turning, pivoting and contact sports follow considerably later, and in that order, as each places greater demands on the reconstructed knee.
Returning to sport too early, before completing rehabilitation, increases the risk of re-injury, which is why the timeline should be guided by your recovery and readiness rather than the fixture list.
Swipe through to see what the return-to-sport journey looks like.
If you’re recovering from an ACL injury or are unsure when it’s safe to return to sport, Dr Franz Snyman can assess your progress and guide you on the appropriate timing.
📞 011 593 4469
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📍 Suite 6, Second Floor, Johannesburg Surgical Hospital, 219 Beyers Naudé Drive, Northcliff
ACL | ACLRecovery | SportsInjuries | KneeInjury | OrthopaedicSurgeon | DrFranzSnyman | Northcliff