When can I pray normally and do sujood after ACL reconstruction?

Stage one: praying seated

In the first weeks the knee is swollen, bending is limited and the wounds are healing. Praying on a chair, with the operated leg straight or gently bent, protects the knee while standing or bending is difficult; the religious ruling can be discussed with a scholar. Standing for parts of the prayer is fine once you are steady, using a crutch or a stable surface for support.

Stage two: kneeling and sujood

Kneeling puts pressure on the front of the knee, near the incisions and the graft harvest site. Once the wounds have healed and the knee bends comfortably past a right angle, your physiotherapist may let you begin kneeling on a soft mat.

• Lower yourself with your hands and the healthy leg first
• Use a thick prayer mat or cushion under the operated knee
• Start with short periods and build up
• Patients with a patellar tendon graft often find kneeling uncomfortable for longer

Stage three: tashahhud and floor sitting

Sitting back on the heel, as in tashahhud, needs the deepest bend and is usually the last position to return. If a meniscus was repaired at the same operation, deep bending is often restricted for several weeks to protect the repair, so this stage may come later.

For floor sitting at home or in the majlis, a firm cushion under the hips reduces the bend needed.

Planning around your faith

Tell Dr. Gelber at your consultation if you pray five times a day or work on your knees, as it can influence graft choice and your rehabilitation plan. At follow-up visits at Aman Hospital he checks your range of movement and advises when each step is safe for your knee.