Before commencing this rehabilitation program, you must meet the following criteria to ensure safety and suitability:

1. Had an ACL injury or ACL reconstruction

2. Medical clearance to commence rehabilitation
You should have clearance from your Surgeon, Physiotherapist and/or healthcare professional to begin a structured rehabilitation program.

3. Suitable early rehabilitation timeframe
For surgical patients, you should generally be at least 4–7 days post-operative, with pain and swelling beginning to settle and no immediate post-operative complications.
Non-operative patients may begin once the acute pain and swelling phase has started to improve and gentle movement and weight bearing can be tolerated.

4. No signs of infection or significant post-operative complications
You should not have increasing redness, excessive heat, discharge, severe calf pain, excessive swelling, fevers, or wound healing complications. If concerned, seek immediate medical review.

5. Safe to begin movement and weight bearing
You should be able to begin gentle knee movement and some level of weight bearing, with crutches or bracing if required, as advised by your healthcare provider.

6. Follow any brace or movement restrictions prescribed
If you have associated injuries such as a meniscal repair or MCL injury requiring bracing or movement restrictions, continue following your Surgeon’s or Physiotherapist’s guidelines regarding knee range of movement, bracing and weight bearing progression throughout this stage.