So you tore your ACL…now what?

Balanced • March 6, 2020

Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) ruptures are one of the most common injuries in sport. Most occur without contact, and occur far more often in female athletes than in males. There are many ways to injure the ACL; maybe you’re a soccer midfielder who got into a 3-way tackle at practice. Maybe you’re a goalie who went to clear the ball and felt your plant leg crumble underneath you. Or maybe, if you’re really unlucky, you stepped in a pothole walking home from a game. Regardless of the scenario, when an ACL ruptures you will feel a pop, likely feel your knee “go inward”, and experience immediate swelling.

While there are several clinical tests that a physical therapist can use to determine the status of your ACL, the gold standard for diagnosis is MRI. Once an ACL tear is confirmed on imaging, the gold standard of treatment is still surgical reconstruction. Research is coming out now suggesting that some individuals can “cope” with intensive rehab, but what we see in the literature is that this only occurs for about 25% of patients who sustain an ACL rupture. If you are going to return to a high-level contact sport – and especially if you’re female and under 30 – your best bet for returning to optimal performance is a reconstructive surgery.

While it’s a common injury in sport, it’s also an emotionally difficult one; it’s likely your season will be over. Athletes will usually feel grief grief over suddenly not being able to do the thing you love, anger at watching your teammates continue to thrive and perform in your sport, and fear that you’ll never be the same again.

These are all normal feelings to have, but in excess, they’re actually going to prevent you from making a solid comeback. So, here are some steps to take to get your head back in the game, and some information for you so that you know exactly what to expect after you’re wheeled out of the operating room.

First: Know that it’s going to be okay.

While an ACL rupture is likely a season-ender, it doesn’t have to be a career-ender if you find the right orthopedic surgeon and a physical therapist who specializes in sports. How many of you watched Megan Rapinoe this year in the world cup? Did you know she tore her ACL – for the THIRD time – in 2015, and was back on the field for the Rio Olympics? . Yes it takes a long time and a lot of hard work, but know this: you WILL play again.

Second: Learn about what’s going to happen in the Operating Room.

Surgeries are scary, but the good news is that sports medicine surgeons perform this operation all the time. Choosing your surgeon is important – you want someone who is board-certified in sports medicine and who does this operation regularly. It is more than okay to ask your surgeon how many ACLs they have reconstructed! Choose your surgeon well – make sure they have LOTS of experience with this operation and make sure that they share your goal of getting back with your team – and you will be just fine. In the operating room, the surgeon will make a small incision and will first debride, or clean up, the inside of your knee. She will likely remove the torn portions of your old ACL. Then, she will take a portion of one of your tendons – either your patellar tendon (front of your knee), hamstring tendon (back of your knee) or quad tendon (just above your kneecap) and creates a “graft” by re-inserting the tendon into the joint, such that it will act like a new ACL.

Third: Get your dang knee straight!

After you wake up from surgery and make it home from the hospital, you’ll likely be sore, but it’s important to get that knee moving. Check with your surgeon about specific precautions and limitations, but in most cases physical therapy should begin 1-5 days after your surgery. The most important thing in the early phases of rehab is to regain full range of motion, especially extension. Without full range of motion, strength gains will be hard to come by. The earlier you start working on this, the less painful and difficult it will be over time!

Fourth: Train Hard.

Find yourself a physical therapist who specializes in sports rehabilitation. Your physical therapy sessions should feel progressively harder and harder, and your PT should be stressing your cardiovascular systems in addition to getting you strong. If you’re not sweating during your sessions and have mild DOMS afterward – and if you’re not eventually doing things that look and feel like your sport – find a new PT.

Lastly: Be Patient. Play the Long Game.

You’re six months out from surgery, running intervals, doing box jumps, and feeling GOOD. So…why can’t you play? The sports medicine and rehab research overwhelmingly and unequivocally shows that for every month you wait to return to play after that 6 month mark, you decrease your risk of reinjury by 50% . That’s huge. Even if your ligament has healed and you’re passing your return to sport tests, the extra three months to get fitter and stronger matter so much to keeping you in the game. You can reduce your risk of re-injury by waiting until you are stronger and fitter than you were even before your injury. Your physical therapist should be guiding you there and encouraging you every step of the way.

If you have questions about how to prevent ACL ruptures, or whether we’d be a good fit for your pre- and post-operative rehab following this injury, reach out to our sports specialist Dr. Wason: kate@balancechiropracticva.com.

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From Pain to Progress: What Real Patients Say About the Balanced Chiropractic & Physical Therapy Experience

By Allison Hawthorne • September 18, 2025

When you're in pain — whether from a nagging injury, post-surgical recovery, or chronic discomfort — finding the right care can feel like a maze. At Balanced Chiropractic & Physical Therapy, many patients walk in skeptical but leave with something they hadn’t experienced in other clinics: real relief and a clear plan forward. What sets this clinic apart? It's not just the treatment. It’s the total experience — one where skilled practitioners combine chiropractic care, physical therapy, and patient education to help individuals regain mobility, confidence, and quality of life. A Different Kind of Care Experience From the moment individuals arrive, they notice a different tone. The team at Balanced doesn’t just treat the symptoms — they take time to understand the full picture. Many patients describe the approach as comprehensive, personal, and results-focused . Whether recovering from orthopedic surgery or managing long-standing joint pain, patients often comment on how the care they received here was more effective than what they experienced elsewhere. The key difference? Integration. At Balanced, chiropractic and physical therapy are used in combination — not in silos. This means spinal adjustments might be paired with strengthening exercises, or dry needling might be used to reduce tension while also building joint stability. It’s a multi-modal approach designed to accelerate healing while helping prevent future injury. Common Conditions Addressed Patients come in with a wide range of challenges: Shoulder pain and limited mobility Back and neck discomfort, including sciatica Hip pain and post-surgical recovery Sports-related injuries Plantar fasciitis and foot issues Nerve-related symptoms, including numbness or tingling Knee pain and age-related joint stiffness Repetitive strain injuries from work or athletics Postpartum musculoskeletal challenges In each case, treatment plans are tailored — not only to the condition but to each patient’s lifestyle, goals, and progress. What Patients Consistently Say Here are some recurring themes reported by patients in public reviews: “I finally found relief after years of trying other providers.” “The care team really listens and adjusts based on how I feel week to week.” “The home exercise programs helped me stay consistent and feel in control of my progress.” “They went above and beyond — even following up after care to check on how I was doing.” “I was able to return to normal activities that I hadn’t done in years.” It’s not just about symptom relief. It’s about restoring function and confidence — whether that means returning to work, walking without pain, playing sports again, or simply sitting comfortably during long drives. Results That Speak for Themselves Across the board, patients report: Reduction in pain (often from high pain levels to minimal or none) Improved mobility and flexibility Faster recovery timelines post-surgery Better outcomes compared to previous care elsewhere Knowledge to self-manage and prevent recurrence One of the most notable differences? Patients feel like they are part of the process , not just receiving care but actively participating in their own recovery with a supportive team behind them. A Team That Prioritizes People, Not Just Protocols Balanced Chiropractic & Physical Therapy isn't just known for clinical skill — the people are a major part of the equation. Chiropractors, physical therapists, massage therapists, and administrative staff are frequently described as: Attentive Encouraging Thorough Responsive Easy to communicate with This atmosphere of support and collaboration often leads to stronger patient engagement and better long-term results. Why It Matters Musculoskeletal pain doesn’t just affect the body — it affects work, sleep, relationships, and mental focus . The goal at Balanced isn’t just pain reduction; it’s full-body function and restored confidence in movement. Whether you’re facing a complex injury or a nagging issue you’ve ignored for too long, Balanced Chiropractic & Physical Therapy offers something that’s hard to find in today’s healthcare landscape: individualized, integrated care that actually works. If you're exploring options for recovery, rehabilitation, or chronic pain management, Balanced may be worth your time — and could be the turning point your body’s been waiting for. Contact us today