Recovery time from an ACL tear usually ranges from a few months to over a year, depending on whether you have surgery and how active you want to be afterward. The exact timeline also depends on factors like tear severity, age, other knee injuries, and how strictly you follow rehab.
Without surgery
For a partial ACL tear managed conservatively, many people recover functional use of the knee in about 3 to 6 months with structured physical therapy and activity modification. More severe or complete tears treated non‑surgically can take 6 to 12 months to reach a stable, compensated knee and may still leave some instability, especially for pivoting sports.
With ACL reconstruction surgery
Basic daily activities like walking and climbing stairs often become comfortable in roughly 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, though this varies by individual. Full recovery to cutting, pivoting, and competitive sports typically takes at least 9 to 12 months, and many protocols now recommend not returning before about 9 months to lower re‑tear risk.
Return to sport timelines
Many athletes begin light jogging or running somewhere around 3 to 4 months post‑surgery if strength and control are adequate, under professional guidance. True return to high‑impact, pivoting sports (soccer, basketball, football, skiing) is more commonly cleared between 9 and 12 months after reconstruction, based on strength tests and functional assessments.
Key factors that affect recovery
Important factors include tear type (partial vs complete), whether you have surgery, associated damage (meniscus, cartilage), adherence to rehab, and overall health and fitness. Rushing back to sport before strength, balance, and movement quality are fully restored significantly increases the chance of re‑injury.
When to see a specialist
See an orthopedic or sports medicine specialist promptly if you have knee buckling, locking, significant swelling, or trouble bearing weight after an injury. A tailored plan from a surgeon and physical therapist is essential to estimate your personal timeline and safely guide you back to work, exercise, or sport.