ACL Recovery Guide · Frisco, TX
A phase-by-phase guide for Frisco athletes, and where certified, hands-only MLD fits around your surgeon and PT.
Book Recovery MLDWeek by Week
These are typical phases for general information. Your surgeon and physical therapist set your actual timeline.
Weeks 0–2
What usually happens: Brace and crutches as your surgeon directs, ice, elevation and early PT for knee straightening and quad activation. The knee is usually at its most swollen.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: If your surgeon approves, very gentle drainage of the thigh and groin nodes can start, keeping well away from incisions and the graft donor site.
Weeks 2–6
What usually happens: Stitches out, bending improves, and most people move off crutches as PT allows. Swelling often lingers around the knee and down into the ankle.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: Often the most useful phase for MLD: 60-minute sessions focused on the knee, lower leg and ankle, timed around PT days.
Weeks 6–12
What usually happens: Strength work ramps up: squats, step-ups and balance. Swelling can flare after harder sessions.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: Sessions as needed after swelling flare-ups. Some athletes book a 120-minute session for full-leg drainage plus upper-body tension from crutches and training.
Months 3–6
What usually happens: Straight-line running and agility drills start once your PT and surgeon clear them.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: MLD for swelling after a new load; sports massage can be added for tight hips, hamstrings and calves once the knee tolerates pressure.
Months 6–12
What usually happens: Return-to-sport testing and sport-specific training. Timing varies a lot by graft, sport and testing results.
Where lymphatic drainage fits: Occasional recovery sessions around heavy training or tournaments.
For Frisco Athletes
Bleu Massage is about 15 minutes from Toyota Stadium, The Star, Comerica Center and the Northeast Community Park fields, so you can book recovery sessions around school, club practice and PT without a long drive. Certified, hands-only MLD by Maria Her, LMT, CMLDT.
Recovering from a different injury? See sports injury & post-surgery lymphatic drainage. Physical therapists can print a PT referral card.
Who Will Treat Me?
Licensed massage therapist (MT137227) and Certified Manual Lymph Drainage Therapist, trained by Klose Training in the Vodder technique (45 contact hours, written and practical exams). Every session is manual: hands only, no machines or devices.
Frequently Asked
Only when your surgeon approves it. Some surgeons are happy for very gentle drainage in the first couple of weeks; others prefer you wait until stitches are out. Bring written clearance to your first visit.
Gentle MLD helps move excess fluid toward working lymph nodes, which is why many surgeons and PTs suggest it for post-op swelling. It works alongside ice, elevation, compression and your PT exercises, not instead of them.
No. Maria works around incisions and the graft donor site (patellar tendon, hamstring or quad tendon) and never presses on healing tissue.
Many athletes book weekly or twice a week during weeks 2-6, then as needed when swelling flares after harder PT sessions. Maria will suggest a plan at your first visit.
Yes. Many clients book MLD after PT, when the knee is most swollen. Tell Maria what you did in PT that day.
No. Heat and deep pressure aren't used on swollen or healing tissue. Every session is manual and feather-light.
Call your surgeon right away for fever, spreading redness, drainage from the incision, calf pain or sudden swelling in the lower leg, shortness of breath, or a knee that suddenly gives way.
No. These are typical phases for general information. Your surgeon and physical therapist set your actual timeline and restrictions.
Related
60 or 120 minute sessions. Appointments confirmed within 24 hours.
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