When can I run after ACL surgery?

While an ACL surgery is a short procedure performed in an outpatient setting, it requires a long recovery. In this Ask Dr. Geier video, I explain the rehab process and when you can walk and run after ACL surgery.

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Jodi asks:

ACL repair and sutures in meniscus means no walking for me for 4-6 weeks. Ugh! I can’t imagine teaching on crutches and am worried about more swelling when I return. Thanks to Christmas break, I’ll be home 3 weeks total. With all the appointments, I feel like I need longer. The first week was all sleeping. Am I looking at a full year before I can run, jump, and play again?

In an ACL reconstruction surgery, orthopedic surgeons make a new ligament, basically replacing a torn ACL. Your body will turn that graft into a new ligament, but it takes months to get as strong as your original ACL.

The first part of your rehab involves regaining full knee range of motion and strength. As you progress, a physical therapist will guide you through returning to jog, regaining the ability to jump and land from jumps and more before starting sport-specific training.

In this video, I explain the rehab process and discuss why working with a physical therapist is so important. You will better understand when you can play sports and run after ACL surgery.

[DrDavidGeier]

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[stevosworld]

I’m 47 years old and had a fully torn ACL. Doctor did a full reconstruction using hamstring from the same leg. Tough start to my recovery for the first month. It took about 4 weeks to get off the crutches but I persevered with the direction of a physiotherapist. It’s been 4.5 months since my surgery and for the last 4 weeks I have been jogging with intermittent running every 2 minutes for a total of 20 minutes about three times per week. I could probably do more if I pushed it. Also jumping and doing ladder drills regularly as part of my training. I work hard at it everyday for at least an hour using a specific regimen that has been regularly modified and prepared by my physiotherapist who shows me what to do and makes sure I’m doing it correctly. Knee still doesn’t feel “normal” but it is getting better and I can see light at the end of the tunnel.

[abdoudjam]

Hey ! I am from Algeria, i did an ACL + meniscus Surgery and i was allowed to jog by my physical therapist after 4.5 months .. it not that great yet, but im certainly feeling an improvement ! good luck everybody .

[barrytaylor]

I am 6 weeks from an acl reconstruction in australia. I was up and walking the next day and driving 3 days later post op. Recover is going great, feel can get full flex on my knee and cant wait till the physio allows me to start jogging. I have had my other acl done aswell 9 yrs ago and was cleared to return to sport 9 months post op.

[sageredditt]

Had acl surgery 3 weeks ago, able to walk fine no worries, could put all my weight on it within a week and 90 degrees flex . Still working it every day building up strength

[andrefrazier]

I had to get my acl, mcl, and meniscus all fixed I had surgery in November and now I’m in the 8th month going on 9 months July 1st. I’ve been running for a month now I’m lifting I’m jump roping and doing things of that nature going to physical therapy things started off very slow but now things are picking up so quick and I’m able to do so much. When I first started running and working out harder, it was sore on my off days. But now the soreness is gone I only have to deal with swelling and I ice everyday so that I can get pass the knee swelling stage as quick as possible. This experience has made me mentally strong and also has made my legs a lot stronger. Overall I’m blessed and happy to know that I’ll be 100% by august. I’m on the right track and for those who are scared or going through a lot of different problems continue to stay positive and work hard, yes it’ll be painful but it’s all mental and if you are able too push through you’ll be fine but always remember if it hurts to much stop immediately but discomfort and a little pain will come with it. In closing everyone heals differently, so if you aren’t making quick results stay with the course and always check in with you’re doctor because sometimes it isn’t our fault I’ve been told that when the surgery isn’t successful you’ll have a lot more problems then others so always keep a sound mind and ask questions to better you’re future ! Hope this helps all love everybody !

[farooqnajumudeen]

Please realize that once your knee has been opened up, no matter what you do, it will not be 100% as it was earlier and that is not a bad thing, it is just different. NOTHING IS LOST!

Secondly, you don't need a 100% performance level on your knee. It's only the special forces, olympic atheletes etc who would need about 90% performance level. Normal "desk job and stay fit" category of people would require a max 50% only.

My Doctor told me that the surgery is only about 20% and 80% of the journey back to normalcy is your physio.

Some thumb rules are -
1. Do not miss your physio. It could be with a therapist or by yourself. You need to keep at it for years and make it a part of your life style. Be regular.

2. Trust your doctor - Give him/her honest feedback so that he can asses you well.

3. Stay lighter. If your are a heavy person, loose that weight and reduce the strain on your knee. Easier said than done, an alternative would be to workout out laying down so that there is no strain on your knee.

It's been an year and I'm still recovering from the surgery but I'll make it.. and so will you. Cheers

[masonweiss]

its been 4 1/2 months since my ACL/MCL surgery and I feel like I can run. I am jogging and doing squats and one leg calf raises with my recovering leg.

[alexzapata]

Currently in 2 months PO doing walking and biking everyday, was told after three months I can run during PT.

[alaahabanjar]

I had an ACL in my left knee 2years ago and I returned to sports after 11month and that due to less practice. Unfortunately had another ACL/Meniscus in my right knee 4month ago and I feel that I can return back to sports in 6 to 7month as I am following the right rehab process. It is all about practice and training.

[PamelaDavisChicksandOldLady]

I’m three weeks post op. I had an ACL/PCL reconstruction w/ a meniscus resection and Baker cyst removal. I’ve never had a brace. I could fully weight bear immediately. I go to PT three times a week. It’s a struggle. But, don’t give up. I’m still dealing with lots of swelling & ICE is my boyfriend 🤣. I miss the gym. But, PT is definitely keeping me on my toes.

[silversurfer]

It’s been since 6 months since I had MCL and ACL surgery. Im able to walk better however can’t run or climb stairs easily.

[CricketwithKamran]

I feel inching and swelling where the opration done .i did Acl surgery 11 month ago

[patrickvandeventer]

I’m currently 9-weeks post-op with an ACL reconstruction using a Achilles’ tendon allograft. Recovery has been great, and I’m probably a couple of months “ahead” of where I should be. I am physically able to jog, jump, and do some cutting, although I know I’m not supposed to. The hard part for me is holding back, not returning to sports, and giving the graft time to heal. I think focusing on regaining muscle activation, walking, strength really early on, in the first week, has payed dividends in the recover. I also have been advancing the strength training portion as I’ve felt comfortable and haven’t felt pain or swelling by doing body weight squats progressing to barbell low bar back squats, RDL’s, Bulgarian split squats, steps ups, etc. All this said, I have been paying really close attention to body mechanics and form and haven’t been doing anything that overly stresses the graft, which most of the things I’ve mentioned shouldn’t if done properly. I have had a little bit of incision site pain and minor swelling occasionally, but all normal. My plan is to continue progressing the strength training gradually as long as there’s no pain or swelling while making sure focus on regaining muscle/strength balance between legs, and getting more into plyometrics in the next month or so, and heavier into return to sport drills (basketball for me) around month 4. But I feel like I am physically able to play at about 70-80% now (and have already dunked again off two feet) so I need to just be patient and not push it. I’m 32 and was pretty active with lifting weights and playing ball beforehand, and all I did was tear the ACL (no meniscus) so all that helps!

[Asilomar]

I'm at the 1 year mark, and can finally start to walk (have normal gait) without awkwardness. I've been doing weight bearing exercise at the gym, and started to rock-climb (avoiding bouldering). My ultimate goal is to run many miles, but I haven't been able to run much at all.

In terms of pain, I always have soreness and pain after exercising in the local knee area. And sometimes have swelling and stiffness. With rest, massage, and stretching, pain and stiffness usually improve. I keep a rolling pin at work, and when I have some extra time, I roll out my knee with the rolling pin and massage it. This helps bring good circulation to the knee and relieve some pain. I try to be mindful of proper form when walking around. Try to engage your quads when walking and not compensate with the other leg.

The best thing is to listen your body. Everybody's knee is a little different.

[jashanpreetsingh]

I'm 5 months post op.... I have started jogging do squats and core But I can't fully flex my knee.... It hurts a lot as though something is preventing it to go further
Your thoughts and advice on this would help a lot

[amanyaduvanshi]

how can I get face to face contact with you sir

[elisabenavente]

I am 4 months post acl surgery on my right leg and about 7 to 8 months post acl surgery on my left leg. I am beginning to jog once again but jumping on both legs is good but jumping and landing on my right leg is so bad but my left leg is very good but it's just crazy. So I know I can do this and everyone else can do this!

[lityeet]

I partially tore my ACL in February of 2018. They suggested I do physical therapy and maybe i could recover WITHOUT surgery. So I did that for 6 months thinking my knee was getting stronger. However, a week before tryouts I “retore” it and it felt like the way it did when I first injured it. Overall if you even have a partial tear, I suggest u getting surgery bc it’s not most likely not going to get better :’). I’m getting surgery this Friday hopefully all goes well

[rinkalanjara]

Currently I completed 8 weeks of operation of my ACL surgery and fracture in tibia, I can get back my range of motion by 120° in 21 days , because after surgery one month is total bed rest suggested to me and then my recovery is good now and I feel I can become normal sooner because my physiotherapist address that my recovery is too good.
I hope whoever goes under any type of surgery don't loose hope nd do proper exercise to regain your strength and believe me, you will become normal as soon as possible.