Rupture of the anterior and posterior cruciate ligament – Step 4

Rehabilitation starts with the exercises in Step 1. When the exercises can be performed without pain, rehabilitation starts on the next step.

How often and for how long should I train? Training frequency and duration are individual. Start with about 3 repetitions per workout. exercise and at least 3 times a week. Slowly increase the number of repetitions and load without exceeding the pain threshold

Do I have to do the whole program every time? No, you can divide the exercises into different days. The most important thing is to exercise regularly and gradually increase the intensity

Read about the injury

Instruction

Read the full instruction for rehabilitation here

The time in minutes indicates the time distribution between stretching, balance and strength if you train for one hour.
Whether you train for one hour or 10 minutes, for example, is adapted to your starting point – and can be increased over time.

This exercise programme is only suitable for cruciate ligament tears where no surgery has been performed on the ligament. If surgery has been performed, the rehabilitation programme should be carried out under the guidance of the doctor or team responsible for the operation.

Condition

(Unlimited): Cycling. Swimming Run.

Stretching

Stand with your training leg straight on a step/stool while bending your front body slightly forwards. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds.

Stand up straight with your hands on your hips. Gently arch your back and press down slightly with your hands to deepen the arch, so that you feel a gradual stretch in your abdominal muscles. Hold the position for 20 seconds. Relax for 20 seconds.

Cross your straight training leg behind your support leg while bending your body out to the side over your training leg to increase the stretch on the outside of your thigh. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Repeat the exercise, alternating between your right and left legs.

The exercise can also be done while lying on your side on a table or bed. Bend your lower leg up towards you and let your upper leg hang over the edge of the table to increase the stretch on the inside of your thigh. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Turn round and do the same exercise on the other leg.

Sit with your knees bent and the soles of your feet touching. Place your hands on both knees and slowly push your knees apart, so that you feel a gradual stretch in your groin. Hold the stretch for 20 seconds. Relax for 20 seconds.

Coordination

Balance on two feet on the balance board. At first, use your hand to support yourself against the wall. Later, balance on one foot without support.
Try balancing with your eyes closed later.

Lie on your back with the ball under the training leg. Lift your hip off the floor and stretch your healthy leg. Hold the position for 10 seconds. Repeat the exercise alternately with the right and left leg.

“The Runner”. Stand on your training leg with your knee straight. Bend your body forwards at a 90-degree angle and lift your healthy leg straight out behind you and the opposite arm straight out in front of you. Keep your balance on your supporting leg for as long as possible. If necessary, use one hand to support yourself against the wall at the start. Once you feel confident, you can make the exercise more challenging by closing your eyes.

Strength

Attach an exercise band at hip height in front of you. Sit on a chair facing the exercise band. Loop the exercise band around your ankle. Lift and straighten your leg. Then slowly bend your knee so that the exercise band tightens. Hold the tension for a few seconds and slowly straighten your knee again

Attach an exercise band to a sturdy chair leg. Get down on all fours with your head facing away from the band. Loop the exercise band around one foot (the instep). Lift the leg with the band attached and pull your knee forwards so that the band tightens. Slowly bring your leg back.

“Lunges.” Stand upright with both feet together. Step forward with your working leg, bending the knee to a maximum of 90 degrees. Keep your front knee behind your toes. Keep the front foot on the floor. Bend the back leg and rise up onto the toes of the back leg. Stand up on the same leg and return to the starting position.

Stand with your back to the wall, with your weight on your working leg. Lift your non-working leg onto a step. Slowly bend the knee of your working leg to 90 degrees. Put your weight back on your good leg and use it to help you stand up.

Lie on your side, supporting yourself on your elbow and hip. Place your top leg on a chair. Lift yourself up so that you are supported only by your elbow and the leg resting on the chair. Your body should be horizontal. Hold the position for a few seconds, then slowly lower your body back to the starting position. Repeat the exercise on both sides.

Attach an exercise band at hip height. Place the resistance band around your hips so that it is taut. Stand on your good leg with your side facing the resistance band. Push off with your good leg and land on the leg furthest away, so that the resistance band tightens further. Remember that the band must be positioned so that it provides resistance during the push-off. Repeat the exercise on the other leg.

‘Hamstring plank’. Lie on your back with your body fully stretched. Press your heels into the ground, tense up your entire body and lift your hips off the ground. Hold the tension for as long as possible. The exercise can be made more difficult by lifting one leg.

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