{
  "name": "Steady recovery claims — ACL reconstruction",
  "procedure": "ACL reconstruction",
  "bodyRegion": "knee",
  "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
  "attribution": "Steady — https://growsteady.me/recovery-data. Free to quote and reuse with a link back.",
  "schemaUrl": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/claims.json",
  "disclaimer": "Published cohort data. Not medical advice, not a prediction for an individual, and not a substitute for a surgeon or clinician.",
  "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05",
  "count": 14,
  "claims": [
    {
      "id": "acl-reconstruction:pain:week-0",
      "procedure": "acl-reconstruction",
      "procedureName": "ACL reconstruction",
      "bodyRegion": "knee",
      "kind": "pain",
      "topic": "pain",
      "question": "What is typical pain at week 0 after ACL reconstruction?",
      "title": null,
      "answer": "At week 0 after ACL reconstruction, typical reported pain is 5.2 out of 10, within a reported band of 4.1 to 5.5. This describes a group of patients, not one person.",
      "weekStart": 0,
      "weekEnd": 0,
      "basis": "measured",
      "pain": {
        "low": 4.1,
        "typical": 5.2,
        "high": 5.5,
        "scale": "VAS/NRS 0-10 acute post-op; typical 5.2 = 6h VAS (PMC4898387); low/high = day-1 day-case 4.1 / inpatient 5.5 (BJMP day-case series)"
      },
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4898387/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05"
    },
    {
      "id": "acl-reconstruction:milestone:full-weight-bearing-as-tolerated",
      "procedure": "acl-reconstruction",
      "procedureName": "ACL reconstruction",
      "bodyRegion": "knee",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Full weight-bearing as tolerated\" typical after ACL reconstruction?",
      "title": "Full weight-bearing as tolerated",
      "answer": "After ACL reconstruction, \"Full weight-bearing as tolerated\" is typically reached around week 0. Reported range: Day 0 to 2 weeks, usually with crutches. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 0,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4482298/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05"
    },
    {
      "id": "acl-reconstruction:milestone:off-crutches-normal-gait",
      "procedure": "acl-reconstruction",
      "procedureName": "ACL reconstruction",
      "bodyRegion": "knee",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Off crutches / normal gait\" typical after ACL reconstruction?",
      "title": "Off crutches / normal gait",
      "answer": "After ACL reconstruction, \"Off crutches / normal gait\" is typically reached around week 3. Reported range: 2-6 weeks; criteria include quad control and full extension. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 3,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://med.virginia.edu/orthopaedic-surgery/wp-content/uploads/sites/242/2021/06/ACL-Reconstruction-1.pdf",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05"
    },
    {
      "id": "acl-reconstruction:milestone:pool-or-unweighted-treadmill-running",
      "procedure": "acl-reconstruction",
      "procedureName": "ACL reconstruction",
      "bodyRegion": "knee",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Pool or unweighted treadmill running\" typical after ACL reconstruction?",
      "title": "Pool or unweighted treadmill running",
      "answer": "After ACL reconstruction, \"Pool or unweighted treadmill running\" is typically reached around week 8. Reported range: 7-8 weeks. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 8,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://med.virginia.edu/orthopaedic-surgery/wp-content/uploads/sites/242/2021/06/ACL-Reconstruction-1.pdf",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05"
    },
    {
      "id": "acl-reconstruction:milestone:return-to-work",
      "procedure": "acl-reconstruction",
      "procedureName": "ACL reconstruction",
      "bodyRegion": "knee",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Return to work\" typical after ACL reconstruction?",
      "title": "Return to work",
      "answer": "After ACL reconstruction, \"Return to work\" is typically reached around week 11. Reported range: About 46-84 days depending on graft and job demands. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 11,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC11092533/",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05"
    },
    {
      "id": "acl-reconstruction:milestone:return-to-sport-pivoting-clearance",
      "procedure": "acl-reconstruction",
      "procedureName": "ACL reconstruction",
      "bodyRegion": "knee",
      "kind": "milestone",
      "topic": "milestone",
      "question": "When is \"Return to sport / pivoting clearance\" typical after ACL reconstruction?",
      "title": "Return to sport / pivoting clearance",
      "answer": "After ACL reconstruction, \"Return to sport / pivoting clearance\" is typically reached around week 39. Reported range: 9-12 months, criteria-based. This one is a clinical judgement call, not a fixed date — it depends on your surgeon's clearance.",
      "weekStart": 39,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.sportsmed.org/membership/sports-medicine-update/winter-2025/return-to-play-after-acl-integrating-key-metrics",
      "sourceNote": null,
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05"
    },
    {
      "id": "acl-reconstruction:phase:week-0-2",
      "procedure": "acl-reconstruction",
      "procedureName": "ACL reconstruction",
      "bodyRegion": "knee",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after ACL reconstruction?",
      "title": "Weight bearing starts immediately",
      "answer": "The MOON protocol starts full weight bearing as tolerated right away, usually with crutches for support — immediate loading was shown to reduce later kneecap pain, not endanger the graft.",
      "weekStart": 0,
      "weekEnd": 2,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC4482298/",
      "sourceNote": "MOON ACL rehabilitation guidelines",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05"
    },
    {
      "id": "acl-reconstruction:phase:week-2-6",
      "procedure": "acl-reconstruction",
      "procedureName": "ACL reconstruction",
      "bodyRegion": "knee",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after ACL reconstruction?",
      "title": "Crutches go when the quad wakes up",
      "answer": "Crutches are weaned as tolerated, usually somewhere in weeks 2-6. The gates protocols actually watch are quad control and full knee extension, not the date.",
      "weekStart": 2,
      "weekEnd": 6,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://med.virginia.edu/orthopaedic-surgery/wp-content/uploads/sites/242/2021/06/ACL-Reconstruction-1.pdf",
      "sourceNote": "UVA Sports Medicine post-op protocol",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05"
    },
    {
      "id": "acl-reconstruction:phase:week-7-10",
      "procedure": "acl-reconstruction",
      "procedureName": "ACL reconstruction",
      "bodyRegion": "knee",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after ACL reconstruction?",
      "title": "Running returns — in the pool first",
      "answer": "Around week 8, protocols introduce running in waist-deep water or on an unweighted treadmill. Land running comes later, once strength symmetry allows.",
      "weekStart": 7,
      "weekEnd": 10,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://med.virginia.edu/orthopaedic-surgery/wp-content/uploads/sites/242/2021/06/ACL-Reconstruction-1.pdf",
      "sourceNote": "UVA Sports Medicine post-op protocol",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05"
    },
    {
      "id": "acl-reconstruction:phase:week-11-17",
      "procedure": "acl-reconstruction",
      "procedureName": "ACL reconstruction",
      "bodyRegion": "knee",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after ACL reconstruction?",
      "title": "Out of the pool and onto land",
      "answer": "Around this stage protocols progress running from the pool or an unweighted treadmill toward land running, once quad control and gait look right. It is gated on how the knee moves and recovers, not the date, so easing into it over a few weeks is the normal shape.",
      "weekStart": 11,
      "weekEnd": 17,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://med.virginia.edu/orthopaedic-surgery/wp-content/uploads/sites/242/2021/06/ACL-Reconstruction-1.pdf",
      "sourceNote": "UVA Sports Medicine post-op protocol",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05"
    },
    {
      "id": "acl-reconstruction:phase:week-18-26",
      "procedure": "acl-reconstruction",
      "procedureName": "ACL reconstruction",
      "bodyRegion": "knee",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after ACL reconstruction?",
      "title": "Strength and agility, building toward the run tests",
      "answer": "These weeks are about closing the strength gap and adding agility and landing work. Protocols watch quad and hop symmetry climbing toward the thresholds that unlock the next stage, so less visible week-to-week change here is still progress.",
      "weekStart": 18,
      "weekEnd": 26,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.sportsmed.org/membership/sports-medicine-update/winter-2025/return-to-play-after-acl-integrating-key-metrics",
      "sourceNote": "AOSSM Sports Medicine Update, Winter 2025",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05"
    },
    {
      "id": "acl-reconstruction:phase:week-27-52",
      "procedure": "acl-reconstruction",
      "procedureName": "ACL reconstruction",
      "bodyRegion": "knee",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after ACL reconstruction?",
      "title": "The long runway to sport clearance",
      "answer": "Return to pivoting sport is usually cleared around nine months and beyond, on criteria like 90% strength and hop symmetry rather than a fixed date. The back half of the first year is mostly about capacity and confidence, so the knee still asking for more here is the documented norm.",
      "weekStart": 27,
      "weekEnd": 52,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://www.sportsmed.org/membership/sports-medicine-update/winter-2025/return-to-play-after-acl-integrating-key-metrics",
      "sourceNote": "AOSSM Sports Medicine Update, Winter 2025",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05"
    },
    {
      "id": "acl-reconstruction:phase:week-53-104",
      "procedure": "acl-reconstruction",
      "procedureName": "ACL reconstruction",
      "bodyRegion": "knee",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after ACL reconstruction?",
      "title": "Year one to two: scores hold",
      "answer": "In the Swedish national register, knee scores were essentially equivalent at one and two years — most of the gain is banked by twelve months and then holds. This stretch tends to feel like consolidation rather than dramatic change.",
      "weekStart": 53,
      "weekEnd": 104,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC5542121/",
      "sourceNote": "Swedish National Knee Ligament Register",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05"
    },
    {
      "id": "acl-reconstruction:phase:week-105-on",
      "procedure": "acl-reconstruction",
      "procedureName": "ACL reconstruction",
      "bodyRegion": "knee",
      "kind": "finding",
      "topic": "phase",
      "question": "What is normal at this stage after ACL reconstruction?",
      "title": "The long-term picture",
      "answer": "Out past two years, the long cohorts show pain scores staying steady for most people through the following decade. This is the long, quiet part of the curve, where the knee is mostly just part of daily life again rather than something to manage.",
      "weekStart": 105,
      "weekEnd": null,
      "basis": "reported",
      "pain": null,
      "source": "https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC6036619/",
      "sourceNote": "MOON 10-year longitudinal prospective cohort",
      "tier": "free",
      "url": "https://growsteady.me/recovery-data/acl-reconstruction",
      "lastReviewed": "2026-06-05"
    }
  ]
}