Research

Adherence

Prehabilitation (preoperative rehabilitation) improves self-reported knee function up to 2 years after ACL reconstruction, although it may not significantly affect early quadriceps strength.

If you are scheduled for ACL surgery, try to start a rehabilitation program before the operation. This prehabilitation can help you achieve better self-reported knee function two years after surgery. While it might not significantly increase your quadriceps strength in the first few weeks, the long-term functional benefits are worth the effort.

LimitedSupportsMEDIUM confidence
Grindem et al described that combined prehabilitation and postoperative rehabilitation had better self-reported knee function at 2-year follow-up compared to postoperative rehabilitation only. ... prehabilitation ensures better self-reported knee function up to 2 years after ACLR.
Nicky van Melick et al. · British Journal of Sports Medicine · 2016

Why this rating

Based on Level C prospective cohort study and Level B RCT.

Source

Evidence-based clinical practice update: practice guidelines for anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation based on a systematic review and multidisciplinary consensus

Nicky van Melick et al. · British Journal of Sports Medicine · 2016

DOI 10.1136/bjsports-2015-095898

clinical_guidelineCited 874×
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DOI resolved against Crossref · corpus check 2026-06-10

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