Physical therapy for acl / meniscus injury
ACL and meniscus injuries are among the most common knee injuries, especially in athletes. Whether you're preparing for surgery, recovering from it, or exploring non-surgical options, a licensed PT can guide your rehab over video and help you get back to what you love. Covered by your insurance.
What is acl / meniscus injury?
The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) is a key stabilizer in the knee, and the meniscus is the cartilage that cushions the joint. ACL tears often occur during sports involving cutting, pivoting, or sudden stops. Meniscus tears can happen from twisting motions or develop gradually with age. Both injuries benefit significantly from physical therapy — whether as standalone treatment or pre/post-surgical rehab.
Common symptoms
- Knee giving way or feeling unstable
- Swelling after injury
- Pain with pivoting or cutting movements
- Difficulty fully extending or bending the knee
- Catching or locking in the joint
- Pain along the joint line (meniscus)
- A pop at the time of injury (ACL)
- Difficulty bearing weight
What causes acl / meniscus injury?
ACL injuries typically occur during sports — landing from a jump, sudden deceleration, or changing direction rapidly. Meniscus tears can result from twisting on a planted foot, deep squatting, or gradual degeneration with age. Weak quadriceps, hamstrings, and hip muscles increase risk for both injuries.
How physical therapy helps with acl / meniscus injury
Evaluation. Your PT assesses your knee stability, strength, range of motion, and functional capacity over video. They determine the severity of the injury and whether you're a candidate for conservative (non-surgical) treatment or need pre-surgical preparation.
Treatment. For non-surgical management, your program builds knee stability and strength progressively. For pre-surgical (prehab), your PT optimizes your knee before surgery for better outcomes. For post-surgical rehab, the program follows evidence-based protocols specific to your procedure.
Ongoing support. Between visits, message your PT about swelling, pain, or milestones. Your rehab progresses through clear phases with specific criteria for advancing to each stage.
What to expect
Your first visit is about 60 minutes over video. Your PT will assess your knee and build a plan based on whether you're going the surgical or conservative route. ACL rehab typically takes 9-12 months for full return to sport. Meniscus rehab varies from 4-12 weeks depending on the approach.
Insurance accepted for acl / meniscus injury
Physical therapy for acl / meniscus injury is covered by most major insurance plans. You pay your normal copay — nothing extra for telehealth visits.
MedicareBlue Shield of CaliforniaAnthem Blue CrossCignaAetnaUnitedHealthcareHumanaTRICARE
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