ACL recovery is a long process and varies by person, activity level, and whether you have surgery. Most people need several months, and athletes often need close to a year before full sports return.
Overall timeline
For a full ACL tear treated with reconstruction surgery, typical recovery is about 9–12 months to safely return to cutting and pivoting sports. Some may progress a bit faster (around 6–9 months), but many surgeons now prefer closer to 9 months or more to reduce re-tear risk.
Early recovery and daily life
Basic walking with support starts right after surgery, and many people walk without crutches in 1–2 weeks, depending on associated injuries and muscle control. Normal day‑to‑day activities (walking, stairs, work/school) are often mostly comfortable by about 6–12 weeks, though stiffness or mild soreness is common.
Sports and high‑impact activity
Light jogging and more dynamic exercises often begin around 3 months if strength and motion are good. Return to cutting, pivoting, and contact sports usually happens between 8–12 months, once strength, stability, and functional tests are back to near‑normal and the knee has fully adapted.
Non-surgical recovery
When an ACL tear is managed without surgery (often in less active people), meaningful recovery of daily function may take about 3–6 months of focused rehab. However, the knee may remain unstable for cutting and pivoting sports, so some activities might still be limited long term.
What affects your timeline
Key factors include extent of the injury (partial vs full tear, other ligaments or meniscus), quality and consistency of physical therapy, age, and overall health. A surgeon or physical therapist can give a more precise estimate based on your specific tear, surgery details, and strength and stability testing.
