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Conditions We Treat  /  ACL & MCL Injuries

Knee

ACL and MCL Knee Ligament Injury Rehab in Bakersfield

A twist, a pop, a knee that swells or gives way. Whether your ligament injury needs surgery or not, the right rehab is what gets you back to walking, work and sport with confidence.

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Physical therapy is central to recovering from an ACL or MCL injury. Most MCL sprains heal without surgery, with bracing and rehab. ACL tears are often reconstructed in active people, and some people do well with rehab alone. Either way, restoring motion, strength and control is what protects the knee. At ARI Physical Therapy in Bakersfield, every visit is one-on-one with a licensed physical therapist, and after surgery we follow your surgeon's protocol.

Does this sound like you?

✓You felt or heard a pop in your knee while twisting, landing or changing direction
✓Your knee swelled quickly after an injury
✓The knee feels unstable or gives way when you turn or pivot
✓Pain on the inside of the knee after a blow or a twist
✓You've had ACL reconstruction, or have it scheduled
✓You want to get back to sport without hurting it again

The ACL and MCL

The ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) sits inside the knee and stops the shin bone sliding forward and twisting. It's usually torn in a non-contact twist or awkward landing. The MCL (medial collateral ligament) runs along the inside of the knee and is usually sprained by a blow to the outside of the knee or a twist.

  • MCL sprains usually heal well without surgery, with a period of protection, bracing and progressive rehab.
  • ACL tears don't heal back together on their own. Many active people choose reconstruction, especially for pivoting sports. Some people, particularly those who don't do pivoting sports, do well with rehab alone. It's a decision to make with your surgeon.

Why rehab matters so much

After an ACL or MCL injury, the thigh muscles weaken quickly and the knee's balance reactions are disrupted. Rebuilding strength, motion and control is what makes the knee stable. After ACL reconstruction, returning to sport too early is a major risk for re-injury. Research supports waiting at least about nine months and passing strength and movement tests before going back to pivoting sports.

What treatment at ARI looks like

1
A one-on-one evaluation

Your first visit takes about 45 to 60 minutes. We check swelling, motion, strength and how the knee moves and balances, and review your surgeon's protocol if you've had surgery.

2
Motion, strength and control

Early work to calm swelling and restore full straightening and bending, then progressive strengthening for the thigh, hip and calf, balance and landing practice.

3
Back to sport and life

Running, jumping and cutting drills added step by step, strength and movement checks before you return to sport, and a program to lower the risk of re-injury.

No referral needed to start. In California, you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage; call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

When to see a doctor first

See a doctor promptly if you have:

  • You can't put weight on the leg, or the knee looks deformed after an injury
  • A knee that is locked and won't straighten
  • A foot that is numb, cold or pale
  • Calf pain, swelling or warmth, which needs urgent attention to rule out a blood clot
  • After surgery: fever, or redness or drainage at the incision

Why patients choose ARI

Care at ARI is always one-on-one and in person with a licensed physical therapist at our Bakersfield clinic: 8200 Stockdale Hwy, Suite B2, in the Town & Country Village center next to Trader Joe's. Our clinic director, Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, is a board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist. We accept most private insurance plans and Medicare, and we have staff who speak Spanish and Hindi.

ACL and MCL injury FAQs

No. Many active people choose ACL reconstruction, especially for sports with pivoting and cutting. Some people do well with rehab alone, particularly if they don't play pivoting sports. Your surgeon and physical therapist can help you decide.
Most people walk normally within a few weeks and return to running after a few months. Return to pivoting sports usually takes at least about nine months, once strength and movement tests show the knee is ready.
Usually not. Most MCL sprains heal with a period of protection, often a brace, and a progressive rehab program.
Yes. Getting swelling down, restoring full motion and building strength before reconstruction is linked with a smoother recovery afterward.
No. In California you can see a physical therapist directly for up to 12 visits or 45 days, whichever comes first. Some insurance plans still require a referral for coverage, so call us at (661) 282-8584 and we'll help you check.

Common questions

Ready to feel better?

Talk to a licensed physical therapist at ARI, one-on-one. Request an evaluation and we'll get back to you, usually within one business day.

Request an EvaluationCall (661) 282-8584

Sources

  1. Knee Stability and Movement Coordination Impairments: Knee Ligament Sprain Revision 2017. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy (APTA clinical practice guideline), 2017.
  2. Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Injuries. OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
  3. Collateral Ligament Injuries. OrthoInfo, American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.

This page is general information, not a diagnosis. If you have symptoms, a licensed clinician should evaluate you.

Clinically reviewed by Deepa Konnur, PT, MPT, OCS, board-certified Orthopedic Certified Specialist · Reviewed September 2026