ACL Injury and ACL Reconstruction Rehab in Mineola, NY
MULLIGAN CONCEPT
ACL Injury and ACL Reconstruction Rehab
An ACL tear is one of the most common serious knee injuries in sport, and the rehab that follows matters as much as the surgery. At Enhanced Physical Therapy in Mineola, Jacob Kurian guides you from the first days after injury or surgery through strength, balance and running, to testing that shows when your knee is ready for sport. We work alongside your surgeon's protocol and keep them updated.
Certified Mulligan Practitioner Over 10 Years of Experience
Our clinics director is a Certified Mulligan Practitioner (CMP) with over a decade
of experience using this evidence-based approach. Each treatment is customized to
your specific diagnosis and movement limitations to achieve optimal outcomes.
Common signs of an ACL injury
- A pop in the knee during a pivot, landing or sudden stop
- Swelling within a few hours
- The knee feels loose or gives way when you turn
- Trouble straightening the knee fully
- Pain along the joint line, which can mean the meniscus was hurt too
Before surgery: prehab
If surgery is planned, a few weeks of prehab helps. Reducing swelling, getting the knee fully straight and waking up the thigh muscles before the operation tends to make the first weeks after surgery easier. Some people, especially those who do not play pivoting sports, choose to manage an ACL tear without surgery. Rehab is the main treatment in that case, and we help you and your surgeon weigh that choice.
After surgery: the stages of ACL rehab
- Weeks 0 to 2: control swelling, get the knee fully straight, start walking with crutches as your surgeon allows, and switch the quadriceps back on.
- Weeks 2 to 6: regain bend, walk without crutches, and build early strength and balance.
- Weeks 6 to 12: progressive strength work, single-leg control and balance training on our Biodex system.
- Months 3 to 6: running, jumping and landing drills once strength and swelling allow.
- Months 6 to 9 and beyond: cutting, sport-specific drills and return-to-sport testing.
How we treat stiffness after ACL surgery
A stiff knee that will not fully straighten or bend is a common hurdle. Alongside exercise, Jacob uses gentle Mulligan mobilizations with movement to help the knee move more comfortably, and taping where it helps you load the leg with confidence. Hands-on care is always paired with strengthening, because strength is what protects the new ligament.
Return to sport
Time alone is not the test. Before you return to cutting or pivoting sports we check strength side to side, hop tests, balance and how confident you feel. Research on ACL reconstruction suggests that waiting until around nine months and passing these tests lowers the chance of hurting the knee again.
Related care
ACL tears often come with meniscus damage. See Meniscus Related Knee Pain, Knee Pain and Stiffness and Physical Therapy After Surgery.
When to call your surgeon
- Calf pain, swelling or warmth in the lower leg
- Fever, redness or drainage from the incisions
- A sudden increase in swelling or a new feeling of the knee giving way
Frequently asked questions
When should I start physical therapy after ACL surgery?
Usually within the first week, once your surgeon says so. Early work on swelling and getting the knee straight makes the rest of rehab easier.
How long does ACL rehab take?
Most people need six to nine months or more before returning to pivoting sports. Daily activities and walking normally come much sooner.
Can an ACL tear heal without surgery?
The ligament does not usually reattach on its own, but some people do well without surgery with a structured rehab program, especially if they do not play pivoting sports. Your surgeon and therapist can help you decide.
Do I need a referral for ACL rehab?
In New York you can start physical therapy without a referral, though after surgery we follow your surgeon's protocol and insurance plans may have their own rules. Call us and we will check.
Is the clinic close to NYU Langone Hospital - Long Island?
Yes. The hospital is also in Mineola, a short drive from our office at 137 Willis Ave.
Do you help with ACL injuries in teenagers?
Yes. Younger athletes follow the same staged approach, with extra attention to landing mechanics and a slower return to cutting sports.
We see patients from across Nassau County, Queens and western Suffolk. See the towns we serve within 20 miles of Mineola.
Related pages
- Mulligan Technique in Mineola
- Knee Pain and Stiffness
- Meniscus Related Knee Pain
- Squeeze Technique for the Knee
- Sports Physical Therapy
Written and clinically reviewed by Jacob Kurian, PT, MSPT, CMP, DPT, Certified Mulligan Practitioner, Enhanced Physical Therapy, Mineola NY. Last updated October 16, 2026.