ACL Rehab Done Right.
Back on your terms.
The global average ACL re-injury rate is 20%. Ours is built to be a fraction of that — because we don't clear you on a calendar date. We clear you when the data says you're ready.
Most ACL rehab fails at the last 10%.
Calendar-based clearance
You're told 9 months and cleared. But 9 months doesn't mean your quads are at 90% symmetry or your hop scores are sport-ready. Calendar dates don't prevent re-injury. Data does.
No sport-specific testing
Standard rehab doesn't test what your sport actually demands. A footballer's knee needs to handle cutting, acceleration and contact — not just walk up stairs without pain.
No S&C integration
Physio and strength work stay separate. You're rehabbing the injury, but not rebuilding the athlete. You return to sport smaller, slower and less prepared than you were before.
Phase by phase. Gate by gate.
Our ACL pathway was developed by Chris Tandy, who spent 11 years embedded at Melbourne Storm NRL — managing ACL surgeries at the highest level in Australian rugby league. That methodology now drives every ACL program we run.
Phase 1 — Protection & Swelling Control
Weeks 1–6 post-surgery. Goal: full extension, quad activation, reduce effusion. Criteria to advance: single-leg press symmetry >60%, no significant effusion.
Phase 2 — Strength Foundation
Weeks 6–16. Goal: rebuild quad and hamstring strength through progressive loading. Key: no pain with loading, full ROM. We track LSI (Limb Symmetry Index) every session.
Phase 3 — Movement & Power
Months 4–7. Plyometrics introduced. Running programme begins. Criteria: LSI >80% on single-leg press, pain-free jogging, no swelling post-activity.
Phase 4 — Sport-Specific Loading
Months 7–10. Return to sport training, full agility work, position-specific demands. Criteria: LSI >90%, hop test symmetry >90%.
Phase 5 — Return-to-Sport Clearance
Months 9–12+. Full clearance only when objective criteria met: LSI >90%, single-leg hop >90% symmetry, sport-specific movement testing, psychological readiness.
You see the numbers. You know where you stand.
Single-Leg Hop Testing
Distance, triple hop, crossover hop, 6-metre timed hop. Symmetry scored against your unaffected leg. 90%+ required for clearance.
Quad & Hamstring Strength (LSI)
Limb Symmetry Index measures the strength of your operated leg as a percentage of your unaffected leg. We target >90% before any return-to-sport activities.
Movement Screening
Cutting, deceleration, change of direction — assessed and scored against sport-specific benchmarks. We test what your sport actually demands.
Psychological Readiness
ACL Readiness Scale (ACL-RSI) administered at key milestones. Mental readiness to return is as important as physical readiness.
How long does ACL rehab take?
9–12 months to full clearance for most surgical cases. Timeline varies with graft type, sport demands, and how quickly strength milestones are reached. We don't rush it — we clear by criteria, not by calendar.
6–9 months for non-surgical management. Selected cases — particularly partial tears or specific athlete profiles — can achieve full return without surgery. Assessment determines the right pathway for you.
Timeline is a guide, not a guarantee. Every athlete progresses differently. What we guarantee is that you won't be cleared before you're ready.
Two sessions. A complete picture.
45-minute first consult. Full injury history, sport demands, where you are and where you want to get back to.
60-minute deep dive. Hands-on assessment, movement screening, ACL-specific testing. Written plan and return-to-sport timeline issued.
After both sessions, you choose your pathway — session by session ($145/consult) or the Rehab Accelerator program ($185/week, all-inclusive).