Optimizing surgical readiness and recovery in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: A narrative review

Background and Aims: Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common sports-related knee injury that may cause instability, meniscal damage, chondral injury, and impaired return to activity when inadequately treated. This narrative review summarizes clinically relevant pre-operative and post- operative preparation for ACL reconstruction, with emphasis on surgical readiness, graft-related rehabilitation considerations, and criterion-based recovery. Materials and Methods: Relevant clinical reviews, consensus statements, cohort studies, randomized studies, systematic reviews, and rehabilitation guidelines were narratively reviewed and organized into themes of ACL injury, reconstruction, prehabilitation, post-operative rehabilitation, graft selection, and return-to-sport decision-making.