Expert Physiotherapy For ACL Injuries In North London
An anterior cruciate ligament tear of the knee can be a daunting injury. Patient’s and their family have tons of questions- so we have written this article to share our experience and answer some common questions about ACL injury. BOOST PHYSIO’s team have helped more than 1,000 people recover from ACL injuries and ACL surgery and return to the sports they love. Whether you’re hoping to avoid surgery altogether, preparing for ACL reconstruction, or recovering post-op, this article answers some common questions you may have.
BOOST PHYSIO is trusted by orthopaedic knee surgeons to guide their patients to a full recovery after surgery through effective ACL rehabilitation and back to sport!
How many sessions of physio are you likely to need after ACL surgery and how long? Typically you will be with our physios for 15-25 sessions over 6-9 months to ensure your best recovery. This MUST BE CONVENIENT. That is why we have 9 private BOOST PHYSIO clinics across London and Hertfordshire to ensure it your physio is close to home and we have appointments 8am to 9pm and weekends too. And not to mention our gyms to get your full recovery.
1. Can I Avoid ACL Reconstruction Surgery With Physiotherapy?
Not every anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury needs surgery. At BOOST PHYSIO, we help many patients recover and return to active lifestyles with specialised non-surgical ACL physiotherapy rehab. BUT the vast majority of patients we see with anterior cruciate ligament injury or rupture DO have ACL reconstruction surgery.
Our expert physiotherapists carry out a thorough assessment to understand the severity of your injury, your knee stability, lifestyle demands, and activity goals. From there, we create a personalised rehab plan focusing on:
✅ Strengthening surrounding muscles
✅ Improving knee stability and control
✅ Addressing pain, swelling, and range of movement
✅ Supporting return to walking, sport, or daily activities
Research shows that with the right physiotherapy, many patients can avoid ACL surgery and still achieve excellent function – especially if they don’t participate in high-level pivoting sports. We have had many rugby players who have had full ACL rupture and who have not had surgery on their knee- rehab and manage to continue playing sport without the need for surgery.
However, every patient and injury is different and decisions to manage a ruptured Anterior Cruciate Ligament without surgery must be carefully considered. If a person’s knee frequently gives way or buckles- each episode of giving way could be damaging the knee joint causing accelerated wear and tear of the knee joint- in these cases we always recommend getting an expert surgical opinion on reconstruction.
2. ACL Pre-hab: Preparing For Surgery The Right Way
If surgery is the best route for you, prehabilitation (pre-hab) is crucial- getting your knee and body in the best shape for surgery. Our BOOST PHYSIO team works with leading orthopaedic knee surgeon consultants to help you prepare for ACL reconstruction and get the best possible surgical outcome.
Benefits of Prehab With BOOST PHYSIO:
✅ Reduces pain and swelling before surgery.
✅ Restores normal knee range of motion before ACL surgery, if you have surgery on a stiff knee, you will come out with a stiff knee.
✅ Improves strength and muscle control.
✅ Accelerates recovery post-surgery
We help patients in St John’s Wood, Golders Green, Highgate, Kensington, Radlett, Borehamwood, Hendon and across London prepare physically and mentally for ACL surgery. Better function going into surgery means a smoother, faster recovery afterwards.
3. Physio Rehab After ACL Surgery
Recovering after ACL reconstruction can feel daunting, but you’re in safe hands with BOOST PHYSIO. We’ve helped thousands of people recover after knee surgery. Our post-op ACL rehabilitation follows the latest evidence-based protocols and is tailored to your personal goals – whether that’s returning to sport, running, hiking, or just feeling confident on your feet again.
Post-surgical ACL rehab includes:
✅ Reducing pain and swelling quickly post-op as these limit restoring mobility to the knee.
✅ Restoring full knee extension (straightening of the knee) as quickly as possible- can take up to 6 weeks post op.
✅ Activating knee muscles post-op to regain movement and strength.
✅ Gradual return to weight-bearing and walking (initially with crutches after surgery for 1-4 weeks post-op usually).
✅ Advanced and progressive proprioception and balance training
✅ Gym based stregnthening and weight lifting exercise.
✅ Sports-specific rehab and injury prevention
We regularly liaise with your orthopaedic consultant to ensure your rehab is on track. Our local North London physiotherapy clinics offer a convenient and supportive environment to recover.
Every patient wants to have the best surgeon for their Anterior Cruciate Ligament reconstruction surgery. BOOST PHYSIO work together with many of the leading ACL and knee surgeons in London and the country. There are many aspects to consider when choosing your knee surgeon: will you get on with them, will they answer your questions and concerns, if there are problems are they able to see you again quickly, do they communicate with your physio and doctor about their operation, are they conveniently located to you, do they work at a hospital with a good reputation, do they accept your health insurance and many more aspects that must be considered. We recommend getting recommendations from professionals who have experience in working together with the knee surgeon you are considering. We are happy to provide our patients with some of the most highly recommended ACL reconstruction surgeons we have experience with.
Research shows that Physiotherapy Pre-hab aids post-op recovery- particularly in the first 3months post op. Pre-hab enables you to optimise your knee from the injury itself- recovering full range of movement in your knee to improving balance and proprioception. ACL surgery should not be rushed into, you should plan it to fit your schedule and while you are waiting to have your surgery- you should be doing Pre-hab to enhance your recovery. The stronger your knee and the fitter you are before surgery, the better the chances of a smoother post-op recovery.
Once a patient has had ACL reconstruction surgery we recommend the first physio appointment within 3-7 days after leaving hospital. This is to ensure your knee is able to straighten correctly- we call this extension. Extension is usually limited by about 20 degrees after surgery, we work on getting the knee fully straight and fully extended within the first 4 weeks post-op. Physio will usually be twice a week for the first 3-6 weeks depending on how swelling, movement of the knee and ability to walk is progressing.
This is one of the most common questions our physios get asked by patients who have ruptured their Anterior Cruciate Ligament. Every patient and circumstance is different. People under 40 years old, who plan to remain active- we usually recommend seeing a specialist knee surgeon to discuss options. ACL reconstruction surgery is a choice you make to help improve your lifestyle and quality of life for the future. ACL reconstruction surgery is not an emergency procedure and should never be rushed into.
A proportion of patients with ACL ruptures do remain high functioning without having ACL reconstruction surgery. These patients usually achieve this with high levels of rehab and exercise to ensure their knee strength, balance and proprioception is top notch. Another portion of patients who do not have ACL reconstruction are those who do not require their knees to do lots of twisting and turning movements- for the vast majority of day to day activities they will not notice a problem with their knee.
📍 BOOST PHYSIO Clinics Specialising in ACL Injury Rehabilitation
BOOST PHYSIO has 9 expert physiotherapy clinics across London and Hertfordshire, helping patients recover from ACL injuries with personalised, hands-on care and evidence-based rehabilitation. Whether you’re avoiding surgery, preparing for ACL reconstruction, or recovering post-operatively, our friendly and experienced team is here to help.
We welcome patients from the following areas seeking specialist ACL physiotherapy:
📍 Hampstead NW3 Physiotherapy Clinic – supporting ACL injury rehab for patients from Hampstead Village, Belsize Park, Cricklewood NW2, Hampstead Garden Suburb, and Golders Green.
📍 Swiss Cottage Physiotherapy Clinic – providing ACL rehab and prehab for patients from Belsize Park, Swiss Cottage, and South End Green.
📍 Hendon NW4 Physiotherapy Clinic – located near Brent Cross, this clinic supports ACL injury recovery for patients in Hendon, Golders Green, and Colindale.
📍 Kensington W8 Physiotherapy Clinic – offering expert ACL physiotherapy close to Holland Park, Notting Hill, and Earls Court.
📍 Elstree WD6 Physiotherapy Clinic – providing ACL prehab and post-op rehab for patients from Radlett, Stanmore, and Bushey.
📍 East Finchley N2 Physiotherapy Clinic – helping patients from Muswell Hill, Highgate, Hampstead Garden Suburb, West Finchley, Woodside Park, and Finchley Central recover from ACL injuries.
📍 Mill Hill NW7 Physiotherapy Clinic – treating ACL injuries and post-surgical recovery for patients near Totteridge, Edgware, and Burnt Oak.
📍 Borehamwood WD6 Physiotherapy Clinic – supporting ACL rehab for patients from Shenley, Aldenham, Bricket Wood, Watford, and Rickmansworth.
📍 Muswell Hill N10 Physiotherapy Clinic – providing ACL physiotherapy and sports injury rehab for patients from Crouch End, Alexandra Palace, and Hornsey.
At BOOST PHYSIO, we create tailored ACL recovery programmes based on your goals—whether you’re returning to sport, recovering from surgery, or building knee strength to avoid an operation. With same-day appointments, expert hands-on care, and targeted exercise plans, we help you return to full function safely and effectively.
👉 Book your ACL physio appointment now, or call us on 020 8201 7788 to get started.
