What to Expect After an ACL Surgery

If you’ve torn your anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), you may be worried about the aftermath. Will you be able to twist and jump in the same way? Will the instability and pain go away altogether?

Here to answer all your questions is Dr. Thomas Kane III, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, and adult joint reconstruction expert who regularly performs ACL surgeries. Dr. Kane shares what to expect after your surgery.

What happens during your ACL surgery

ACL surgery is a reconstructive procedure to replace a torn ACL with a graft that is the foundation for a new ligament. The surgery involves using tissue either from your own body (patellar tendon, hamstring tendons, or quadriceps tendon) or, in some cases, from a deceased donor.

Remember that receiving tendon tissue from a donor doesn’t lead to lifelong dependence on immunosuppressants, as it would with organ transplants. The immune system doesn’t attack the tendon because it contains no live cells.

Dr. Kane performs the procedure arthroscopically, using small incisions and a camera to guide the process. This approach reduces the risk of bleeding and infections, while also minimizing scarring and speeding recovery.

During the surgery, the damaged ACL is removed, and the new graft is secured to the bones using screws or buttons through drilled tunnels..

What to expect during the recovery process

Recovery after ACL surgery is gradual and involves a very structured physical therapy plan.

On the first day after surgery, you’ll receive instructions on managing pain and swelling, caring for your incision, and performing gentle exercises to prevent stiffness. Most patients go home on the same day of  the procedure.

In the first few weeks, the focus is reducing pain and swelling while regaining range of motion. You’ll use crutches and a special knee brace to protect your knee and limit weight-bearing during this time.

About two months after surgery, physical therapy shifts to strength training and balance exercises. This phase focuses on rebuilding the muscles around your knee and improving stability.

Your knee strengthens steadily for the next three to six months, and you’ll gradually progress to higher-level activities. If you play a sport, you can typically return to the field between six and twelve months after surgery, depending on your healing progress.

What to expect from ACL surgery results

While recovery requires time and dedication, the results are often life-changing, including eliminating pain and instability and the ability to return to your sport of choice again.

Not everyone with an ACL injury needs surgery, but for those who experience severe pain and instability in the knee—or simply want to trust their knee for high-impact sports—ACL surgery is often the solution.

Take the next step toward recovery

If you suspect your knee pain is due to an ACL injury or have already been diagnosed, don’t delay: seek expert orthopedic help. The sooner you treat the problem, the quicker your recovery will be. 

Contact us to schedule an appointment at our office in Honolulu, Hawaii. Together, we’ll explore treatment options, determine whether surgery is the right choice, and create a personalized plan to help you get back to doing what you love.