I have heard that it's possible to do my own rehab after an ACL repair. Is this true? It would sure save me time and money driving into town to go to rehab.

A few studies have been done showing how rehab can be done at home. Most researchers advised patients to have some supervision by a physical therapist. They reported a need for quality education before and after the operation.

Patients at home need good handouts with detailed instructions about the exercises. Patients must be motivated to do their own program for it to work.

Not all patient types have been studied. Most studies have included athletes. A recent study from Canada only included athletes with chronic ACL tears. Anyone with a recent injury wasn't included.

Talk to your surgeon about your options. There may be a way to work out a program with some supervision that cuts down the number of trips you make. It's important to follow some kind of rehab program to prevent joint problems later.