The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) plays a crucial role in knee stability, connecting the femur (thigh bone) to the tibia (shin bone) and helping the knee move efficiently during activities like running, jumping, and pivoting. ACL injuries are among the most common and impactful injuries in active individuals, particularly athletes. Each year, over 200,000 ACL injuries occur in the United States, with young female athletes being especially at risk.

Most ACL injuries result in a ligament tear that requires ACL reconstruction (ACLR) surgery. During this procedure, the torn ligament is replaced with a graft, either taken from the patient’s own body (autograft) or from a donor (allograft). Autografts commonly come from hamstring tendons, bone-patellar tendon-bone, or quadricep tendons.

Recovery from an ACL surgery can be a long journey, often taking up to a year or more before an individual is cleared to return to sport. One of the key challenges during recovery is muscle atrophy, particularly in the quadriceps. This is due to the disruption of muscle tissue during the graft harvesting process and the prolonged period of inactivity during the healing phase.

Unfortunately, after one ACL injury and surgery, there is an increased risk of re-injuring the same ACL (ipsilateral) or the opposite knee (contralateral). To optimize recovery and reduce the risk of re-injury, proper nutrition plays a critical role alongside physical therapy. Nutrition interventions can support muscle repair, manage inflammation, and promote joint healing to maximize recovery and return safely to your sports and activities.