The Western Bulldogs started the season strongly but hit a major hurdle in Geelong a few weeks ago when star forward Sam Darcy went down clutching his knee.

It was later confirmed as an ACL rupture.

A common question I’m asked is why recovery after ACL surgery takes so long; “If I work harder on rehab, can I come back earlier?”

While good rehab makes returning to play safer, it doesn’t shorten the time your surgeon and physio will recommend off.

To understand why, it helps to look at what happens when the ACL ruptures and how reconstruction works.

The ACL is a key ligament in the centre of the knee.

When you change direction, twist, or land, it acts like a rope to stop the shin bone sliding forward on the thigh bone.

When someone ‘does their ACL,’ this ligament has torn.

Although some research suggests certain people can cope without an ACL (and in rare cases it may heal) most younger athletes in pivoting sports like footy and netball are advised to have a reconstruction.

This surgery uses a section of tendon from around the knee to replace the damaged ACL.

Tendons aren’t as stiff as ligaments, meaning the new graft isn’t immediately strong enough to handle sporting loads.

That’s why the 9-12-month recovery period is so important.

Over time, the body gradually transforms the tendon, strengthening it until it can cope with the demands of sport.

Research shows players who return before six months almost always re-injure the ligament, while those who wait closer to 12 months are far less likely to do so.

That’s why ACL injuries come with such a long recovery.

Preventing them is clearly important. I’ll cover that next week.

Pat Arnold is a director and sports physiotherapist at Echuca Moama Physiotherapy. Appointments with Pat and his colleagues can be made by phoning 5480 0860 or book online at echucamoamaphysio.com.au

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Wednesday, 21st February 2029

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