| Summary: | There is controversy over whether leg lifting in full extension following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) will threaten the graft. We reviewed published biomechanical studies of normal knees which suggest that while full passive extension of the knee joint will not strain the graft, an active leg lift will subject the ACL graft to strain. There is, however, evidence that ACL strain is greater at 20-30° flexion than near full extension. We therefore recommend that if ACLR patients lift their recently operated leg, provided there is no limitation of passive extension, they should do so with the knee joint near full extension rather than in 20-30° flexion.
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