ACL reconstruction rehabilitation in an adolescent athlete: A case report

Abstract

Background: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are among the most common knee injuries in athletes, particularly in sports involving pivoting and sudden directional changes such as football. Surgical reconstruction followed by structured rehabilitation is essential for restoring knee stability and functional performance. This case report describes the rehabilitation progression of a 14‑year‑old male who sustained an ACL tear due to a football‑related twisting injury and underwent ACL reconstruction using a hamstring tendon graft. A structured rehabilitation protocol based on the Melbourne ACL Rehabilitation 2.0 program was implemented. The rehabilitation program included early pain management, restoration of range of motion, progressive strengthening, neuromuscular control training, balance exercises, and sport‑specific functional training. The patient demonstrated progressive improvement in muscular endurance, balance, and functional performance and successfully progressed toward the return‑to‑sport phase.