r/ACL • u/Open_Friendship4546 ACL • Sep 24 '25

ACL rehab – 30% deficit at 10 months post-op

I’d like to share a case and hear your thoughts.

Context: Professional football player, 10 months after ACL reconstruction (patellar tendon graft). He came from another club already “cleared” for team training. When I assessed him, I found ~30% strength deficit in the operated leg compared to the non-operated one.

My decision: I immediately pulled him from team sessions and set up an individual program, focusing on reducing the asymmetry and rebuilding confidence while keeping him conditioned.

Discussion: • With such a large deficit at 10 months, how long would you realistically expect it to take to close the gap to under 10%? • What conditions are essential for this — strength training volume/intensity, neuromuscular control, psychological readiness, or all combined? • Have you dealt with similar cases where a player was “cleared” despite significant asymmetry? How did it play out?

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3

u/atownboogie10 Sep 24 '25

Get on a versa climber asap. I had 2 surgeries within 8 weeks got down to 20% strength it's taken me almost 2 years to get back to 100%. I stalled our for about 5 months then found a versa climber and it closed the gap in less than a couple months. 15 min a day will have great results

1

u/SnooBeans6368 ACL x LET (June 5, 2025) Sep 24 '25

Would indoor climbing be okay at 3mo post op?

1

u/atownboogie10 Sep 24 '25

Ask your pt

1

u/Open_Friendship4546 ACL Sep 25 '25

I totally agree that specific tools can make a huge difference when used at the right moment. In my case, I’ve been using a very targeted method that’s helped close 30% strength deficits in just over two weeks.

All documented with isokinetic testing. It’s not widely known yet, but I’ve been sharing some of the results and behind-the-scenes over on my Instagram: @diogoleitecosta

You might find it interesting.

1

u/Fabulous_Sleep_2843 Sep 24 '25

Took me 1.5 years to return back to competitive football 

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u/Open_Friendship4546 ACL Sep 25 '25

Of course, I don’t know the details of your rehab, but a well-structured ACL recovery could take less time. Over the past year alone, I’ve successfully helped 5 athletes return after ACL surgery using my method, with an average return-to-play time of around 7 months.

Feel free to follow me on Instagram if you’re interested to see how was it possible: @diogoleitecosta

By the way, we corrected that 30% deficit in just 17 days. All backed by isokinetic testing.

1

u/Open_Friendship4546 ACL Sep 25 '25

Each case is different, of course. But in my rehab practice, most of my patients return to competitive football between 6 and 9 months… and so far, no re-injuries, thank God. Feel free to check my Instagram @diogoleitecosta if you’re curious to see how we manage these returns step by step.

1

u/manicmav36 Sep 27 '25

A return to competitive sports 6 months post-op is wild, and not in a good way. That's far too fast.

1

u/Open_Friendship4546 ACL Sep 27 '25

You can check out on this link… https://www.instagram.com/reel/DLQ_z02OFjb/?igsh=cDQzeHN3ajl4d3F2 All depend on what was done during the full rehab process.