Rehabilitation After Knee Surgery

Post-surgical knee rehabilitation is critical to restoring strength, mobility, and function — and dry needling can enhance these outcomes. Studies report that dry needling reduces postoperative pain and improves quadriceps activation, helping patients progress more quickly through therapy milestones (Tough et al., 2009).

After procedures like ACL reconstruction, patients often experience persistent pain and tightness in surrounding musculature, which can inhibit proper mechanics. Adding dry needling to standard PT has been shown to decrease pain intensity and improve functional performance (Cheatham et al., 2016).

At Top Performance PT, we integrate evidence-based dry needling into your individualized plan to break through post-op plateaus. Combined with targeted strengthening and mobility work, this approach supports a faster and more effective recovery. If you’ve recently undergone knee surgery, ask us how dry needling can help you get back to what you love — stronger than before.

References
Cheatham, S. W., Kolber, M. J., & Salamh, P. A. (2016). Dry needling in the management of pain: A critical review of the literature. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy, 11(5), 747–762.
Tough, E. A., White, A. R., Cummings, T. M., Richards, S. H., & Campbell, J. L. (2009). Acupuncture and dry needling in the management of myofascial trigger point pain: A systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. European Journal of Pain, 13(1), 3–10. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejpain.2008.01.006