Conditions we treat
ACL & Knee Ligament Injury Rehab in Surrey, BC
Whether you heard a pop on the field or you're three weeks out from surgery, the quality of your rehab decides how well your knee comes back.
What it feels like
- A pop at the moment of injury, followed by rapid swelling within a few hours
- A knee that feels unstable or "gives way" when turning or changing direction
- Pain on the inner side of the knee after a blow or awkward twist (MCL), or stiffness and loss of confidence weeks later
Why it happens
The knee's ligaments — ACL, PCL, MCL and LCL — hold the joint together under load. They are injured by sudden stops and pivots, awkward landings, and direct contact in sports like soccer, basketball, skiing and hockey, but car accidents and workplace falls are common causes too. MCL sprains usually heal with rehab alone. ACL tears vary: some people do very well without surgery, others need reconstruction, and in both cases the outcome depends heavily on the strength and control you rebuild.
How we can help
Early on, we settle swelling, restore range and get the thigh muscles firing again — which is also the best preparation if surgery is planned ("prehab" measurably improves post-op outcomes). After surgery, or for non-surgical management, your physiotherapist takes you through a criteria-based program: strength, balance, landing mechanics, running, cutting and finally sport-specific work, progressing on what you can demonstrate rather than on the calendar. We coordinate with your surgeon's protocol where there is one, and we are an ICBC Recovery Network clinic if the injury came from a crash.
Related reading: Sports injuries
Common questions
How long until I'm back to sport after an ACL reconstruction?
Most return-to-sport criteria are met somewhere between nine and twelve months, and rushing it is the biggest risk factor for re-injury. We test strength and hop performance against your other leg before clearing each stage, so you return when your knee is ready, not when a date arrives.
Can an ACL tear be managed without surgery?
For some people, yes — particularly those whose knee stays stable with good strength and who don't need to cut and pivot regularly. A period of rehab first often clarifies which path is right, and nothing is lost by building strength either way.