ACL Recovery Milestones

ACL Milestones

Recovering from an ACL injury or surgery is a journey that demands time, patience, and consistency. The good news ? Each week brings small, meaningful milestones that move you closer to full recovery.

The first six months of ACL rehabilitation are especially critical. This is when your body rebuilds strength, control, and confidence. But recovery isn’t just about physical healing it’s also about hitting specific functional goals along the way.

So, what should you expect in the first half-year after an ACL injury or reconstruction? Here’s a month-by-month breakdown of the key  ACL milestones.

Month 1: Regaining Basics, Mobility, Pain Management & Early Strength

Goals:

• Control pain and swelling

• Regain full knee extension and begin flexion

• Initiate quad activation and basic strength

• Begin gentle weight-bearing (as advised)

What to expect:

• Use of ice, compression, and elevation

• Assisted movements and range of motion exercises

• Straight leg raises, quad sets, and heel slides

• Potential use of crutches and/or a knee brace

Clinical Tip:
Achieving full knee extension early is a major milestone it sets the stage for smooth walking and future strength gains.

Month 2: Building Foundations, Strength, Gait & Balance

Goals:

• Improve walking pattern (gait) without a limp

• Progress weight-bearing and muscle activation

• Introduce balance and proprioception training

• Regain near-full knee range of motion

What to expect:

• Glute bridges, mini squats, step-ups

• Gait retraining with a focus on normalising walking

• Single-leg balance drills, resistance band work

Clinical Tip:
Walking without compensation is a big win in Month 2. It’s a sign that muscle control is returning.

Month 3: Developing Control,  Stability, Endurance & Function

Goals:

• Increase lower limb strength and endurance

• Improve neuromuscular control

• Begin functional movements with control

• Minimise swelling after activity

What to expect:

• Lateral step-downs, lunges, wall sits

• Progression of core and hip strengthening

• Continued proprioception training (e.g. balance pads, single-leg work)

Clinical Tip:
By this stage, your exercises become more dynamic—but control is still the priority over power or speed.

Month 4: Advancing Strength, Dynamic Movements Begin

Goals:

• Build muscle strength closer to pre-injury levels

• Begin low-impact plyometrics (if cleared)

• Progress balance challenges and control drills

What to expect:

• Jump squats, controlled hopping, agility ladders

• Sport-specific or activity-specific movement patterns

• Strength testing to assess symmetry

Clinical Tip:
Muscle symmetry between the injured and non-injured leg becomes more important now especially for long-term joint protection.

Month 5: Rebuilding Confidence, Power & Agility

Goals:

• Develop explosive strength and change-of-direction ability

• Build sport or work-specific skills

• Improve cardiovascular endurance and muscular power

What to expect:

• Plyometric circuits, bounding drills, directional cuts

• Increased use of resistance and challenge

• Integrated movement patterns mimicking real-life or sport actions

Clinical Tip:
Confidence in your knee matters just as much as strength. Mental readiness is an often-overlooked milestone in Month 5.

Month 6: Return-to-Sport Preparation

Goals:

• Meet criteria for sport-specific return testing

• Demonstrate symmetrical strength and control

• Maintain confidence and readiness under load

What to expect:

• Performance testing (e.g. hop tests, strength assessments)

• High-level drills including deceleration, pivoting, and reactive movements

• Ongoing feedback and adjustments from your rehab team

Clinical Tip:
Most athletes won’t return to sport until 9–12 months—but Month 6 is about testing whether you’re on track to do so safely.

Get the Best ACL Recovery

ACL recovery isn’t linear, and everyone progresses at a different pace. The first six months lay the foundation not just for returning to sport or activity, but for preventing future injuries and living with long-term knee health.

At our physiotherapy and exercise clinic, we guide you through each stage with a personalised, evidence-based approach—celebrating the milestones and navigating the challenges with you.

Get the best rehabilitation and reach out to Pivotal Motion Physiotherapy, we’re here to help you feel your best and achieve key ACL milestones. Get in touch with us today, and our team will be able to discuss with you in more depth on how we can help you. Book online or call us on 3352 5116.