ACL & Post-Surgical Rehab

Rehab that doesn't end when the pain does

Surgery fixes a structure. It doesn't give you back your strength, your movement or your trust in the joint. That part is rehab, and it's where the outcome of your surgery is largely decided.

At Pursuit, post surgical physical therapy is one-on-one with a doctor of physical therapy at every visit. We work with your surgeon's protocol, adjust it to how you're actually healing and keep going until you're ready for the life you want, not just until your sessions run out.

If you're a few days, a few weeks or a few months out, or if you have surgery scheduled and want to prepare first, you don't need to have it all figured out. We'll start from where you are.

Surgeries we rehab

We work with people recovering from:

• ACL reconstruction, including patellar tendon, hamstring and quad tendon grafts
• Meniscus repair and meniscectomy
• Rotator cuff repair and other shoulder surgery (rotator cuff surgery rehab)
• Hip procedures, including labral repair and hip arthroscopy
• Knee and hip replacement
• Ankle and foot surgery, including Achilles repair
• Other orthopedic surgery. If yours isn't listed, ask.

Why is ACL rehab different?

ACL rehab physical therapy isn't a few months of knee exercises. The ligament is only part of the story. After surgery, the thigh muscles weaken, movement patterns change and confidence takes a hit, and those problems can outlast the incision.

It also matters for the long run. Returning to sport after an ACL injury is a time when reinjury risk is high, and rushing it is a common reason people get hurt again.

The four phases of ACL rehab

Every surgery and every person is different, and your surgeon's protocol comes first. Most rehab, though, moves through the same stages.

Phase 1: Calm and protect

The early weeks. We focus on controlling pain and swelling, restoring motion (especially getting the knee fully straight), waking the quad back up and walking well. Protecting the graft and the reconstruction comes first.

Phase 2: Strength and control

Once the joint is calm and moving, we build real strength: legs, hips and core. We work on balance and single-leg control and on the quality of every movement, because strength you can't control isn't much use.

Phase 3: Running, jumping and landing

When you're ready, we introduce jumping and landing mechanics, then gradually progress to running. Change of direction starts at lower speeds and intensities to rebuild confidence.

Phase 4: Sport-specific work and testing

We build the skills your sport or job demands and then test them. Strength comparisons between legs, hop tests and movement quality tell us whether you're truly ready. It's the main reason we say rehab ends with criteria, not a date.

Progress by criteria, not just calendar

Calendar milestones are useful guides, but they're not the finish line. Before we clear the next step, we look for things like:

• Swelling and pain under control
• Full range of motion
• Strength in the surgical leg compared with the other leg
• Quality of movement during squats, steps, hops and landings
• Your own confidence

In the Grindem study above, athletes who passed their test criteria had far fewer reinjuries than those who didn't. We cover this in more detail on our return to sport testing page.

Prehab: getting ready before surgery

If your surgery is scheduled, rehab can start before it. Going in with a calm joint, good motion and strong muscles often makes the early weeks easier. We can also walk you through what to expect so nothing is a surprise.

Who this is for

• Athletes recovering from ACL reconstruction who want to play again
• Active adults who want to hike, lift, run or play with their kids again
• People after joint replacement who want more than the basics
• Anyone whose surgeon has cleared them to start, or who's been discharged from rehab and still doesn't feel right

You don't need to be an athlete. If you want to get back to something that matters to you, you're in the right place.

When to call your surgeon

Rehab involves some discomfort and swelling. Some signs need medical attention right away. Contact your surgeon or seek urgent care if you have:

• Calf pain, warmth or swelling, or sudden shortness of breath or chest pain (call 911 for the last two)
• Fever, or redness spreading from the incision
• Drainage from the wound, or a wound that opens
• A sudden sharp pain, a pop or the joint giving way
• Pain or swelling that is getting worse and not better

We'll tell you the same thing in person, and we'll help you work out whether it needs a call.

How does it work?

Our process is simple, and it's built around you.

• Understand your starting point. We review your surgery, your surgeon's protocol and your goals. Then we assess how you move today.
• Build the capacity to move forward. Hands-on care, strength training and progressive movement, planned one-on-one.
• Get back to what matters. We test, progress and clear you step by step, so you return with confidence and not only a date.

What patients say

Individual experiences. Every person's goals, plan and progress are different.

Your physical therapist

Your rehab is led by Dr. Tarandeep (TJ) Jaidka, a doctor of physical therapy, at every visit. You'll work with the same person from start to finish.

ACL and post-op Physical Therapy near Hopedale

We're at 3b Condon Way in Hopedale, MA, and welcome patients from across the Blackstone Valley and nearby towns, including Milford, Franklin, Bellingham and Medway. See all areas we serve.

Monday through Saturday, by appointment

Take the next step toward your goals.

Tell us about your surgery, your surgeon's plan and what you'd like to get back to.

• Book an appointment. Talk through where you are in recovery.
• Pick a time. Then we'll get started.

Book a free call

Move better. Perform stronger. Pursue more.

Frequently asked questions