Most ACL rehab follows a time-based calendar. Regardless of how your body is actually responding.
No defined criteria. No objective testing. No clear way to know: am I actually ready?
This is why re-injury rates stay high — and why so many people return without real confidence in their knee.
THE PROGRAM
Five phases. Clear exit criteria at each.
You don't advance solely on a calendar – you advance when your body demonstrates it's ready. Each phase has measurable benchmarks before you move forward.
Swelling management, quad activation, early range of motion restoration and tissue protection.
REBUILD
Progressive loading, single-leg strength, mobility and capacity.
FORTIFY
Running reintroduction, early reactive training, limb symmetry testing and deceleration.
ADAPT
Change of direction, neurocognitive, sport-readiness, and plyometric training.
THRIVE
Full return to sport and activity testing with formal clearance, within a shared decision making process guided by your data.
what makes us different
Built on measurement — not guesswork.
Every decision in your rehab is guided by data within a clear, structured system.
Objective Testing
We measure your movement and strength at every phase — so you have a precise number, not an estimate, before you advance.
At-Home Tracking
Complete guided check-ins between sessions through our app — including knee range of motion measurements using your phone. We review your data before you walk in the door.
Progress Reporting
Every session adds to your recovery record — strength, range of motion, balance, and function tracked over time. We use that data to drive every decision and show you how far you've come.
RECOVERY STORIES
Every recovery tells a story.
From injury to return — see how each recovery journey unfolds.
My surgeon said I also have a meniscus tear. Does this program cover that?
Yes, and it's more common than not. Co-injuries like meniscus tears, MCL involvement, or cartilage damage affect the early phase of your program — particularly weight-bearing timelines and how aggressively we load in the first 6–8 weeks. Your physio will review your operative report before your first session so the program reflects your full surgical picture, not just the ACL in isolation. The milestone framework stays the same; the parameters within each phase are adjusted to your specific repair.
My surgery was several months ago. Am I too far along to start?
Not at all. We see patients at every stage — weeks post-op, months in, or even years later. Your first session includes a full objective assessment so we can place you accurately within the program rather than starting from scratch. Where you are right now is the starting point.
I play a specific sport. Does the return-to-sport phase account for that?
Yes. The demands of soccer, hockey, basketball, rugby, and recreational sport are meaningfully different — cutting angles, contact exposure, reactive load. Phase 4 and 5 are tailored to your sport's specific movement patterns, not a generic athletic benchmark that assumes everyone is returning to the same activity.
I decided not to have surgery. Can I still do this program?
Yes. The conservative (non-surgical) ACL pathway is a legitimate route for the right candidate — particularly partial tears and lower-demand patients. The program adapts accordingly, with a focus on neuromuscular control, quad and hamstring symmetry, and functional stability rather than graft protection timelines.
Does my insurance cover this?
Your sessions are billed individually as physiotherapy, which is covered by most extended health plans. We recommend checking your plan's annual physiotherapy limit — a full ACL program involves regular sessions over 9–12 months, so understanding your coverage early helps with planning. We're happy to discuss pacing your sessions around your benefits.
I'm not an athlete — is this program still right for me?
Absolutely. The ACL program is built around getting your knee back to whatever you need it for — whether that's sport, keeping up with your kids, hiking, or simply walking without pain or hesitation. The milestone framework and objective testing apply regardless of your activity level. The return-to-sport phase simply becomes return-to-life, with goals set around what matters to you.
