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Can you play sports again after ACL surgery?

Author

Daniel Moore

Published Jan 18, 2026

RETURN TO SPORT AFTER ACL INJURY

For athletes who wish to return to pivoting sports, the typical advice is an ACL reconstruction after 4–8 weeks when full range of motion is established and there is no joint swelling.

How long after ACL surgery can you play sports?

Following an ACL injury, it is estimated that athletes should be able to return to sport within nine months of surgery. However this is widely variable and many will not achieve this level of rehabilitation within two years post-surgery2.

Can you go back to sports after ACL surgery?

Most patients who undergo ACL surgery are successfully able to resume sports activity. Over 90% of patients have normal or near-normal knee function following recovery from ACL surgery.

Will I play the same after ACL surgery?

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - After knee reconstruction surgery, half of people who played sports competitively or just for fun don't perform as well as they used to, a new study suggests.

Can athletes come back from a torn ACL?

Thirty years ago, an ACL injury was career-ending, but today, thanks to arthroscopy and refined surgical techniques, most athletes are able to return to sports.

29 related questions found

Can you return to sports 6 months after ACL surgery?

Final verdict: Return to sport after ACL reconstruction should occur after passing all return to sport testing AND greater than 9 months following surgery. For some, this means return is delayed well beyond 9 months as they work to meet objective criteria for return to sport.

Can u play basketball after ACL tear?

In the case of patients that undergo ACL reconstruction, basic stability and function are restored to the knee within a few weeks of the surgery. By working with an orthopedic surgeon and a physical therapist, athletes such as basketball players can get back in action within 6-9 months.

Should I play football after ACL surgery?

It's important that you only return to sport when your body is completely ready. You could risk re-tearing your ACL if you demand too much of your knee before it's ready. For many people there are risks involved in returning to football less than 12 months after surgery.

How soon can you play soccer after ACL surgery?

We encourage them to try and give it 9-12 months (at a minimum). Time questions aside, we don't recommend a return to Level I sport (soccer, basketball, football) after an ACL surgery until there is no pain with activity, no swelling, full range of motion, good stability, strength close to equal to the opposite side.

When can I jump after ACL surgery?

3-6 months: By this time period, enough bony healing has occurred and the ACL has gained sufficient strength to enable patients to return to running and jumping, or impact activities. Greater recovery in muscle control and stability is also typically achieved.

Is ACL surgery good for life?

FRIDAY, July 21, 2017 (HealthDay News) -- People who undergo knee surgery for a torn anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) can expect to stay active and maintain a high quality of life, researchers report.

How did Jamal Crawford tear his ACL?

Michael Jordan helped Jamal Crawford with his ACL surgery

Before the 2001-02 season, Crawford — who was on the Bulls — tore his left ACL while working out with Jordan and other NBA stars in Chicago. He needed ACL surgery to repair his tear, and Jordan made sure the youngster got the best doctor available.

What NBA players have torn their ACL?

Notable NBA players who have sustained this injury previously include: Al Jefferson, Baron Davis, David West, Jamal Crawford, Kyle Lowry, Derrick Rose, Danilo Gallinari, Rajon Rondo, Ricky Rubio, and Nerlens Noel. One lesser known member of The Torn ACL Club is Hall of Famer Bernard King, who tore it in 1985.

What can I do 8 months after ACL surgery?

So! For month 8, make sure you start building up that cardiovascular foundation again (as well as your top end speed). To do so, think about running 2-4 miles about 3-4 times per week; this is typically enough to retrain your heart and lungs back into sports-like activity levels.

What happens at 4 months after ACL surgery?

One of the most exciting parts about the 3-4 month mark is that you're typically given the official “okay” to get back to running — and, with the proper protocol, you're probably in the process of improving your gait and further enhancing your body's strength and movement.

Should I go to school with a torn ACL?

When can I go back to school? Most patients who undergo an ACL reconstruction return to school between 6-8 days.

What athletes have had ACL surgery?

5 Top NFL Athletes Who Have Torn Their ACL- And Returned

  • Tom Brady - Torn ACL. Tom Brady is a four time Super bowl winning Quarterback. ...
  • J.J. Watt - Meniscus Tear & Tibial Plateau Fracture. ...
  • Rob Gronkowski - Torn ACL, Torn MCL. ...
  • Teddy Bridgewater - Dislocated Knee, Torn ACL. ...
  • Adrian Peterson - Torn ACL, Torn MCL.

How many NFL players have torn their ACL?

There is evidence of an annual increase in ACL tears during the preseason every year between 2011 and 2018, but that regressed in 2019 and 2020. Over the past six years, there has been a fairly consistent total of ACL tears across the whole of the preseason and regular season combined – between 49 and 59 players.

How many NBA players tore their ACL?

Statistics compiled by the ACL Recovery Club and Hoops Rumors show that since 1970, 97 NBA players suffered a torn ACL either before or after their debut.

Did Michael Jordan ever get surgery?

Jordan, who also has played 179 playoff games, has never had knee surgery of any type. Jordan leads the Wizards in scoring, averaging 24.3 points.

Who has torn their ACL the most?

Because more men play sports than women, the number of ACL reconstructions is higher in men. Of 6,700 ACL reconstruction patients treated at Shelbourne Knee Center over 36 years,1 62% were male and 38% were female. In general, female athletes are about twice as likely to tear their ACL as men.

Is ACL surgery a permanent fix?

"ACL reconstruction is fairly effective, but some people don't ever fully recover," said study co-author Matt Seeley, associate professor of exercise sciences at BYU. "The way you move is related to the outcome of your ACL surgery."

How many years does an ACL repair last?

Not only is the procedure effective, but repaired tendons perform like new. Reconstruction patients even 20 years later revealed excellent performance, with over 85% still active.

How painful is ACL surgery?

Most people have some surgery-related pain and discomfort for the first week or so. Not surprisingly, pain decreases with time. By the end of a week or two at the most, you should have very little discomfort. Swelling and bruising are also relatively common, and like discomfort, they're temporary.

What happens at 6 weeks after ACL surgery?

6 Weeks to 3 Months After Surgery

As the healing process progresses and your knee continues to grow stronger, you may be allowed to do more low-impact activities such as cycling, swimming, and rowing. By the end of this period, you may be able to resume light jogging if your physical therapist thinks you are ready.