An ACL -- or anterior cruciate ligament -- injury is one of the most common knee injuries seen. These injuries usually occur in athletes who participate in high-impact sports including basketball, soccer and football. Surgery is often required to repair an ACL injury. As part of your rehabilitation program, water exercises may be used to strengthen and increase flexibility in your knee. Water exercises are low-impact and can be completed with minimal pain.
Water Walking
Walking in water is a simple way to restore your normal walking patterns as well as strength in your leg following an injury to your ACL. Simply stand in water that is waist to chest high. Walk as normally as possible in a circle or across the width of the pool. For an added cardiovascular component to this exercise, swing your arms in the water as you walk. Begin walking for five minutes at a time. As you become stronger, work your way up to walking for 30 minutes at a time in the pool.
Knee Lifts
Knee lifts can help strengthen and improve your ability to flex and extend your knee. Stand with your back against the side of the pool; this can help to provide you with balance if you need it. You should be standing in water that is chest high with your back straight and your feet shoulder-width apart. Bend your affected knee and bring your thigh parallel to the surface of the water. Once your thigh is parallel to the water's surface, slowly straighten your leg completely out. Slowly lower your leg back to the ground and repeat. Complete one set of 10 repetitions.
Knee-to-Chest Stretch
A knee-to-chest stretch helps to strengthen and increase the range of motion in your knee following an ACL injury. Sit on a bench in water that falls at your shoulder level. Keep your back straight. Your feet should be positioned flat on the bottom of the pool with your knees bent. Lift your affected leg and pull it toward your chest. Position your hands under your thighs and begin to lift your knee. Once your knee is lifted, wrap your hands around your lower leg in order to pull your leg close to your chest. Hold this position for three seconds. Resume the starting position and repeat. Complete one set of 10 repetitions.
Knee Bending
Knee-bending exercises help you to regain your ability to straighten and bend your knee following an injury to your ACL -- flexion and extension. Sit on a bench in water that falls just above your shoulder level. Your back should be straight. Your knees should be bent so that your feet can be positioned flat on the floor. Slowly raise your affected leg by bending your knee. Straighten your knee out as far as you comfortably can. Hold this position for a count of three seconds. Relax and repeat 10 times.
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