ACL recovery physical therapy in Chatsworth, before and after surgery
Rehab in stages, and the tests you pass before you play again.
Is this you?
- Your ACL is torn and surgery is coming.You can start with Dr. Ed before the operation.
- You are in the weeks after reconstruction.You have your surgeon's protocol and want someone to work through it with you.
- You are about nine months out and not sure you are ready.Dr. Ed tests the knee against your sport, not just whether it hurts.
- You are the parent of a teen athlete.Teenagers are welcome, and a parent is in the room for every visit.
- You have a history of ACL injury and want the other knee protected.Dr. Ed builds a prevention program for the other side.
What Dr. Ed does about it
Dr. Ed works from your surgeon's protocol, not a generic plan. The rehab runs in stages, and you are tested before each one.
- Before surgery.Prehab, so the work starts before the operation.
- Early on.Range of motion, and getting your quad, the muscle on the front of your thigh, working again.
- In the middle.Strength and balance.
- Before you go back.Single-leg hop and cutting tests, measured against what your sport demands.
- The other knee.After an ACL injury, the same testing becomes a prevention program for the other side.
Pain going away is not the same as being ready to play. The injury that comes back is usually the one that was rested, felt fine and was never retested. You know where you are at every visit and what the next gate is.
What to expect
The first visit is an evaluation. Dr. Ed looks at the knee and at everything above and below it, including how you land, cut and squat. He explains what he found and what the plan is, with a realistic line on when you can train and when you can play.
You work one-on-one with Dr. Ed, start to finish. Treatment is hands-on, plus a short home program that changes as you progress. Evening and Saturday appointments are available.
ACL recovery takes months. How many visits you need depends on how your knee responds, so Dr. Ed sets the plan after the evaluation rather than guessing up front.
Read Maggie and Mark's review on the post-op page, from a patient who had ACL reconstruction.
Related pages
- Sports injury recoverySprains, strains, ACL, rotator cuff and return to sport.
- Pre and post-op physical therapyPrehab before surgery and recovery after knee, hip and shoulder surgery.
- Return to sport after ACL surgery: the tests before you playThe tests you pass before you play, explained.
Insurance and referrals
- No referral needed to start
- California law lets you see a physical therapist without a referral for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. After that, we need a referral from your doctor to continue. Medicare patients need a referral from the start.
- Insurance
- We accept Medicare and personal injury liens. If you have PPO insurance, we provide a superbill, an itemized receipt you send to your insurer for reimbursement. Direct-pay patients are welcome.
- Visits
- Visits run about 60 minutes, depending on what you need, and every one is one-on-one with Dr. Ed.
Details and what to bring are on the insurance and cost page.
Common questions
When can I start after surgery?
When your surgeon says so, usually within the first one to two weeks. Bring your surgeon's protocol and discharge paperwork to the first visit.
How long until I play?
It is a nine-to-twelve-month road for an athlete, done in stages and tested before each one. Dr. Ed tells you plainly when you pass and what is still missing.
Do you do prehab?
Yes. Dr. Ed does prehab for people waiting on ACL surgery. Book before your surgery date if you can, so there is no gap afterward.
Book your ACL evaluation
Tell Dr. Ed where you are in the process. He will confirm your time by phone or email, usually the same day.
Prefer to talk? Call (818) 749-3205Dr. Ed answers his own phone.
19851 Nordhoff Place, Unit 105 (Suite C), Chatsworth, CA 91311
Mon to Sat 10am to 8pm, Sun closed. Free parking in the lot in front, no gate code, street parking available.
Book by phone
Call (818) 749-3205Mon to Sat 10am to 8pm, Sun closed
The online booking form opens here soon. Until then, call or email chatsworthpt@gmail.com and we confirm your time, usually the same day.
No payment is required to book.