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Injury & Rehab

ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation Brisbane

A dedicated 9–12 month criteria-led rehabilitation program from ACL reconstruction surgery to full return to sport — with objective strength, symmetry, and functional milestones at every stage.

From$149
Timeline9–12 months
SupervisedYes
Limb Symmetry Index
≥90%
Re-injury risk
−4× 9 months post
The Program

What is the ACL-R Rehabilitation Program?

ACL reconstruction is one of the most significant injuries an athlete can face — and the rehabilitation period after surgery is where the outcome is largely determined. Research consistently shows that athletes who return to sport based on achieving objective criteria — rather than on a fixed time schedule — have substantially lower re-injury rates and better long-term outcomes.

The GymTherapy ACL-R Rehabilitation Program is a structured, supervised 9–12 month program built around the most current evidence in ACL rehabilitation. Phase progression is governed by strength testing, limb symmetry ratios, and functional movement benchmarks — not a calendar. You advance when your body demonstrates readiness, and you don’t advance when it doesn’t.

The Process

What’s involved

01
Post-Surgical Assessment
Weeks 2–6 post-op
An initial assessment establishes your baseline. Graft type, surgical technique, and any concomitant injuries are factored into the program design from the start.
02
Phase 1: Restore
Months 1–3
Swelling management, range of motion restoration, and quadriceps activation are the primary goals. Kinetic strengthening, neuromuscular control, and gait normalisation are progressed within the constraints of graft healing.
03
Phase 2: Rebuild Strength
Months 3–6
Progressive heavy loading builds quadriceps, hamstring, hip, and calf strength. Limb symmetry testing at regular intervals tracks the closing of the strength gap. Running reintroduction begins once objective criteria are met, using our antigravity LEVER device.
04
Phase 3: Return to Sport
Months 6–12
Sport-specific agility, reactive movement, and contact loads are progressively reintroduced. Formal return-to-sport testing — including limb symmetry index ≥90%, hop testing, and functional movement criteria — must be passed before full sport clearance is given.
Ideal For

Who it’s for

✓ Athletes post-ACL reconstruction at any stage of recovery
✓ Those who want criteria-led rather than time-based progression
✓ Team-sport athletes targeting return to football, soccer, or netball
✓ Runners and cyclists returning to sport post-ACL-R
✓ Athletes who want a single integrated rehabilitation team
✓ Those partway through rehab elsewhere wanting a second opinion
Our Approach

The technology

Criteria-Led RTS
Limb Symmetry Testing + Hop Protocol + Functional Benchmarks

Return-to-sport clearance in this program requires passing a battery of objective tests: quadriceps and hamstring limb symmetry index ≥90%, a comprehensive hop test battery, and functional movement criteria. Research shows that athletes who meet these criteria before returning to sport have re-injury rates up to four times lower than those who return on time alone. No athlete in this program is cleared for full sport participation without meeting the benchmarks.

≥90%
Limb Symmetry Index required across all strength and hop tests before return-to-sport clearance
Investment

Pricing

From
$149
✓ Full post-surgical assessment and program design + our S&C App
✓ 9–12 month criteria-led three-phase program
✓ Regular supervised sessions throughout all phases
✓ Limb symmetry and hop testing at every phase transition
✓ Formal return-to-sport clearance assessment
Start Your Rehab ↗
Common Questions

ACL-R Rehab FAQ

When can I start after surgery?
Gym-based rehabilitation typically begins immediately post-surgery however the best outcomes come from those who start pre-surgical rehabilitation. You will have been working with a physiotherapist on early pre & post-operative management. Bring any surgical notes or post-op instructions to your first session.
Will you communicate with my surgeon?
Yes — with your consent, we communicate with your surgical and physiotherapy team throughout the program. Protocol constraints from your surgeon — particularly around graft-type-specific timelines for loading and range of motion — are incorporated into your program design from the start.
My surgeon said 6 months — why does your program go to 12?
The current best evidence for ACL rehabilitation supports a 9–12 month timeline to return to sport for athletes who want to return to cutting, pivoting, and contact sports. Six months reflects graft healing, but graft healing and neuromuscular readiness are not the same thing. The research on re-injury rates shows clearly that athletes who return earlier — or without meeting objective criteria — have substantially higher re-injury rates.
I had my surgery 4 months ago — can I still join?
Yes — you can join the program at any point post-surgery. Your initial assessment will establish where you are in the rehabilitation continuum, and the program will be tailored from that point. You don’t need to start from the beginning if you’ve already made progress in early rehabilitation.
Can I claim on private health or Medicare?
Exercise physiology sessions may be eligible for Medicare rebates with GP referral under a Chronic Disease Management plan, and may attract private health rebates depending on your fund and level of cover. We are a registered NDIS provider and accept DVA referrals. We recommend checking with your fund prior to commencing.
How much does ACL rehab cost in Brisbane?
The ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation Program at GymTherapy starts from $149 per session. It's a criteria-based 9–12 month return-to-sport pathway using force-plate testing and anti-gravity treadmill running. Medicare (with a GP Chronic Disease Management plan), private health, NDIS and DVA options may apply — check with your fund.
Where can I do ACL rehab in Brisbane?
You can do the ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation Program at GymTherapy's three Brisbane clinics — West End (Studio 99, 387 Montague Road), Newstead (Club Bunker, 27b Doggett Street) and Woolloongabba / East Brisbane (993 Stanley Street East). Open Mon–Fri 6am–8pm and Sat 6am–1pm.
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Locations

West EndNewsteadWoolloongabbaPhysio Brisbane
Mon-Fri 6am-8pm. Sat 6am-1pm
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