Your knee has four main ligaments, one on each of the outer sides and another two inside the knee behind your knee cap. A knee reconstruction usually requires a tissue graft (usually a tendon) to help keep the knee working as a hinge joint.
How long can rehabilitation take?
Rehabilitation after knee surgery takes a full 12 months, but these months are broken up into stages of weeks. This is because it is essential that there is graduated increase in movement (slow progression), and that this is closely monitored by your physiotherapist. This means they can constantly update/change your program depending on you, your body, your lifestyle and how well your body is healing.
What is involved in the early stages?
The first 12 weeks of rehabilitation after a knee reconstruction are crucial, and greatly impact how quickly you heal. You can expect to be given some exercises to complete 2-3 times per day, and there will be brand new (seemingly over-the-top) techniques to do everything – from getting in and out of bed, up and down stairs through to using the bathroom. Swelling and pain will also be an important factor to consider, using rest, ice and compression to help the fluids drain away will be important. Finally, working on re-developing the muscles around the area, the quadriceps (thigh muscle) will need to work on contracting to straighten the leg. Towards the end of the first 12 weeks, most people are able to jog and complete some basic resistance training.
What about later down the track?
This is often the part where some people believe their physiotherapist visits are less crucial, however they couldn’t be more wrong. The pain and swelling would’ve subsided, and usually this means people will try to “get back on their feet” and think their rehabilitation is over. This is often where re-injury or other injuries occur through lack of strength or over-use and over-compensation on surrounding areas. By continuing the rehabilitation practices your physiotherapist has given, you will continue to effectively strengthen the knee and it’s surrounding areas to prevent re-injury and any new ones arising.
Rehabilitation after a knee reconstruction is crucial from day one!
The end of year is a popular time for many to have major surgery to fall in line with the bulk of their leave from work each year. Trust Progressive Sports and Spinal Physiotherapy to work with you, and for you, to get you back on your feet when it counts the most, especially when it comes to complete reconstructions. Please don’t hesitate to contact the practice if we can assist you on your rehab journey on 02) 4721 7798, by emailing info@progressiverehab.com.au or by booking your next appointment online here.
At Progressive Sports and Spinal Physiotherapy Penrith, we are able to assess, treat, educate and manage all musculoskeletal injuries. We focus on hands-on treatment, exercise prescription and self management techniques tailored to your specific needs. We utilise evidence based treatments to maximise your outcomes.
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Elin, is an alumni of St. Edward’s University and holder of a Bachelor’s degree in Kinesiology, furthered her academic journey by attaining a Doctor of Physiotherapy from Macquarie University in 2022.
Her passion for sports, particularly football (soccer), is evident in both her academic pursuits and personal endeavors. Specialising in the comprehensive well-being of athletes, Elin focuses on restoring them to peak performance while actively preventing future injuries.
Elin’s professional expertise is centered on musculoskeletal rehabilitation, with a specific emphasis on addressing and preventing knee injuries. Her approach integrates expert treatment with a commitment to educating and empowering patients, fostering their active involvement in enhancing their health and overall quality of life.
As an active participant in NPL football with SD Raiders, Elin brings firsthand experience and a profound understanding of the sport’s demands. Beyond the field, she extends her influence by contributing sports coverage over the weekends.
Christopher (Chris) Han graduated from the University of Sydney with a Bachelor’s Degree in Occupational Therapy, and then completed the Doctor of Physiotherapy program at Macquarie University in 2018. Chris is currently undertaking his PhD at the University of Sydney and Institute for Musculoskeletal Health in the field of low back pain and is due to complete this in early 2024.
Chris is currently an assistant Physiotherapist for the NRL Referees. Chris has previous experience as the head Physiotherapist at Panthers Premier League Netball and a number of elite sporting athletes in the private setting.
Through Chris’ experiences, he has a particular interest in all areas of the body and musculoskeletal physiotherapy, sports, vestibular rehabilitation, and Men’s Health (pre and post prostate surgery).
Suzanne graduated from Western Sydney University with a Bachelor of Health Science (Sports and Exercise Science) in 2015. She then went on to continue her studies at Macquarie University graduating from the Doctor of Physiotherapy post-graduate degree in June 2019.
Since graduating, Suzanne has worked in the local Penrith area in both private practice and Sports Physiotherapy. Suzanne has worked with sporting teams including Penrith District Netball Association, Mt Druitt Rangers (NPL), Penrith Valley Figure Skating Club, and local dance and cheer schools.
Suzanne has a particular interest in working with artistic athletes including cheerleaders and dancers. She has a professional background in both cheer and dance and has previously worked as both a cheer coach and dance teacher. Suzanne’s previous experiences are an invaluable resource to her as a physiotherapist, as she has a thorough understanding of the level of physical fitness and skill acquisition that these athletes must have in order to be successful on stage and in competition.
Suzanne’s other areas of clinical interest reside in lower limb musculoskeletal injuries, spinal pathologies and women’s health.
Nathanial graduated as a physiotherapist in 2012 which saw him work in private practice and hospital settings gaining experience in all areas of physiotherapy including hand therapy, splinting/casting, pre/post-operative care, Men’s Health and general musculoskeletal, occupational and sports physiotherapy. Since then he has gone on to complete further studies in physiotherapy enabling him to be the only dual titled Musculoskeletal, Sports and Exercise Physiotherapist in Penrith.
Nathanial has a strong background in sports physiotherapy achieving accreditation with NSWIS as a service provider and working with many elite sports teams.
Nathanial has a particular interest in working with elite athletes, complex cases and in particular assessment and management of knee, hip and shoulder pain.
Andrea graduated from the Australian Catholic University completing her Bachelor of Exercise and Sports Science in 2018 and Master’s of Clinical Exercise Physiology in 2020. After graduating she attained accreditation with ESSA as an Exercise Physiologist.
During her studies she gained clinical experience in both hospital and private practice settings, in cardiac rehabilitation, neurological conditions, cancer and chronic musculoskeletal injuries.
Since working at Progressive, Andrea has a specialist interest in treating musculoskeletal injuries, helping people in the mid-late stage of rehab to get them to return to sport or work. As well as helping people manage chronic conditions such as arthritis, osteoporosis and diabetes.