Hospitals throughout the country have canceled elective surgery in order to decrease the spread of COVID-19 to patients and healthcare workers and to concentrate their efforts on emergency care. We recognize the impact this has had on our patients. They may have an ACL injury earlier in the year and are hoping to be ready for next season to compete in cutting and pivoting sports or they may rely heavily on a stable knee to perform their jobs. Unfortunately this situation has forced patients to have to wait out their injuries at home until facilities can be reopened to treat their injuries. While things may seem bleak at the moment there are things you can do at home now to help prepare yourself for upcoming ACL surgery. A good at home physical therapy prehabilitation program can help you stay focused and improve your readiness for surgery. Here are some of the basic goals for ACL prehabilitation:

• Decrease pain   
• Minimize swelling
• Maximize knee range of motion(knee bending & straightening)
• Normalize gait (way we walk)

This Home Exercise Program developed by HSS PT will take you through some exercises that will help you to work toward the above goals with the aim of getting you conditioned for your surgery. If you have been working with a physical therapist already this is a good time to discuss our prehab program with them and stay in touch with them via phone, email or virtual channels as you progress. We recognize that given work and family constraints it may be difficult to find the time but if you can dedicate a few hours per week it can be very beneficial. The current state of our daily lives has been immensely impacted by the crisis but your health and safety is our #1 priority. During these uncertain times what we do know is that healthy habits and movement can have a big impact on your state of mind. Be well and be safe!