Can I still go to the gym and exercise with a torn ACL?

Why exercise helps

Strong quadriceps, hamstrings and hip muscles support a knee without a functioning ACL. Training before any surgery, often called prehabilitation, also tends to make recovery afterwards smoother. Staying active protects your general health and mood while you decide on treatment.

Usually reasonable

• Stationary bike, gradually increasing resistance
• Leg press and squats to a comfortable depth, with the knees tracking over the toes
• Hamstring curls and bridges
• Step-ups, calf raises and hip abductor work
• Swimming, avoiding breaststroke kick in the early weeks
• Walking on the treadmill or in a cool mall in the summer months
• Upper-body and core training

Leave these until the knee is assessed

Avoid football, padel, basketball and other sports with cutting; jumping and plyometric drills; running with sharp turns; heavy deep squats while the knee is still swollen; and group classes with fast lateral moves. A knee that gives way during training may tear the meniscus, which can change the treatment options.

When to stop and get advice

Stop if the knee swells after a session, locks, gives way, or you feel sharp pain along the joint line. A physiotherapist can build a programme around your injury. At Aman Hospital in Doha, Dr. Gelber can confirm the diagnosis and tell you which exercises suit your knee before or instead of surgery.