Description
When is the right time to have ACL reconstruction surgery? In this video, our orthopedic specialist explains why timing matters after an ACL injury and why surgery isn’t always immediate.
Before moving forward with reconstruction, patients typically begin physical therapy to reduce swelling, restore full range of motion, strengthen the quadriceps, and regain normal walking ability.
Rushing into surgery too soon can lead to stiffness, while waiting too long may increase the risk of additional damage to the meniscus or cartilage. For most patients, ACL surgery is considered around 3–4 weeks after injury—but the timeline is personalized based on recovery progress and any associated injuries.
Learn why a tailored approach ensures the best long-term outcome for your knee health and return to activity.
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Transcript
One thing that I always talk about when I see patients in clinic is: When should I have my ACL reconstruction? Because when you tear a ligament in your knee, it makes sense that we go in and reconstruct it right away.
What we know is we need to make sure the knee is ready for a second injury, or a second insult, after the initial injury. To do that, I see a patient in clinic and I send them to physical therapy first. We do things like working on the swelling in their knee, making sure their knee straightens all the way and bends all the way, making sure their quadriceps muscle is strong so they can lift their leg straight, and then making sure they can walk without crutches.
Only after all of those things have been done do we talk about scheduling surgery. If we go back in too soon, your knee can get stiff. On the other hand, if we wait too long, you can have extra injuries to your meniscus or your cartilage that may have negative impacts on long-term health of your knee.
So this typically occurs three to four weeks after your original injury, but it all depends on your therapy, how your knee is responding to your injury, and in some cases whether you have other injuries in the knee that warn us to go in sooner or wait a little bit longer.
So it really comes down to looking at each individual’s knee and deciding when that knee is ready for an ACL reconstruction.
