If you’ve torn your ACL, surgery might feel like the only way forward—but it’s not always necessary.
Many people recover from ACL injuries without surgery, especially with the right rehab and regenerative treatments.
So how long does an ACL tear take to heal without surgery?
The answer depends on the severity of the tear, your activity level, and how consistent you are with treatment.
Let’s break it down.
GET RELIEF FROM YOUR KNEE PAIN
Can an ACL Tear Heal Without Surgery?
Yes, some ACL tears can heal without surgery—especially if the tear is partial and your knee still feels stable.
The ACL, or anterior cruciate ligament, plays a key role in keeping your knee steady.
But not every injury requires surgery to recover.
Healing without surgery depends on a few factors:
- Whether the tear is partial or complete
- How stable your knee feels during movement
- Your age, goals, and activity level
- Whether there are other injuries, like meniscus damage
At Marin Regenerative Health, we work with people every day who want to avoid surgery.
With the right care, healing naturally is possible.
How Long Does It Take to Heal an ACL Tear Without Surgery?
If you’re treating an ACL tear without surgery, healing time usually falls between 3 and 12 months.
Partial tears tend to heal faster—around 3 to 6 months with a solid recovery plan.
Full ACL tears can sometimes take 6 to 12 months or longer, and not everyone will regain full knee stability without surgery.
But if your knee feels strong and you stick with your rehab, it can absolutely be done.
It’s not just about pain going away—it’s about building strength, stability, and trust in your knee again.
ACL Tear Recovery Timeline Without Surgery
Here’s a general idea of what recovery can look like if you’re healing a torn ACL without surgery:
Phase 1 (Weeks 0–4): Reduce swelling and protect the knee
You’ll likely start with rest, ice, elevation, and a knee brace.
Crutches may be helpful early on.
The goal is to reduce inflammation while gently starting range-of-motion exercises.
Phase 2 (Weeks 4–12): Rebuild strength and mobility
Once swelling is down, physical therapy kicks in.
You’ll work on quad and hamstring strength, balance, and flexibility.
This stage is critical for preventing long-term weakness or instability.
Phase 3 (Months 3–6): Return to daily movement
You’ll progress into light activity like walking, cycling, or easy jogging.
Exercises get more advanced as your knee strengthens.
Most people feel pretty good by this point with partial tears.
Phase 4 (6–12+ Months): Higher-level training
If your knee remains stable, this is when you can try more intense activities—like jumping, cutting, or pivoting.
This phase is slower for full tears but possible with a strong rehab plan.
What Helps an ACL Heal Without Surgery?
Healing isn’t just about time.
What you do during recovery matters.
Here’s what we use at Marin Regenerative Health to help your ACL recover:
- Personalized physical therapy programs
- High-quality bracing to support the knee early on
- PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) to encourage healing and reduce inflammation
- Stem cell therapy to support tissue repair and long-term recovery
- Targeted injections like prolotherapy for additional healing support
By combining these treatments, we help your body repair itself—naturally and effectively.
How We Help at Marin Regenerative Health With ACL Injuries
We specialize in non-surgical care for ACL injuries and knee pain.
Our team creates custom recovery plans that blend the best of physical therapy and regenerative medicine.
Whether you’ve just torn your ACL or you’ve been living with lingering knee pain, we can help you:
- Relieve pain and swelling
- Improve knee stability
- Rebuild strength and function
- Avoid surgery whenever possible
You don’t have to guess your way through recovery.
We walk with you every step of the way and tailor your care based on your needs and goals.
Contact us to learn more about our knee pain treatments today.
When Should You Consider Surgery Instead?
Sometimes, surgery is the better option.
It’s important to keep checking in on your knee as you recover.
Surgery may be worth considering if:
- Your knee still feels unstable after 3 to 6 months of non-surgical care
- You have a full ACL tear with other ligament or meniscus damage
- You play a sport that requires frequent cutting, jumping, or pivoting
- You can’t return to normal activities without pain or giving way
If you’re not sure, we can help you evaluate your options and decide what’s best for your lifestyle.
What’s the Long-Term Outlook for Non-Surgical ACL Recovery?
With the right plan, the long-term outlook can be very good.
The key is patience and follow-through.
It takes time—up to 1 to 2 years—for the ligament to fully remodel and mature.
But many people return to full strength with:
- Ongoing strength training (especially hamstrings and glutes)
- Neuromuscular training to improve balance and coordination
- Supportive gear and safe return-to-sport programs
Our job is to guide you through this entire journey—from the early stages of healing to long-term protection and performance.
Conclusion: How Long Does an ACL Tear Take to Heal Without Surgery
If you’re dealing with knee pain and an ACL injury and want to avoid surgery, we’re here to help.
At Marin Regenerative Health, we combine science, movement, and cutting-edge treatments to get your knee stronger—without long recovery times or invasive procedures.
Reach out to us today to schedule a consultation.
We’ll help you get back on track with a plan that puts you in control of your recovery.
FAQs: How Long Does an ACL Tear Take to Heal Without Surgery
Is it possible for an ACL to heal on its own?
In some cases, yes—especially with partial tears. While a complete ACL tear rarely heals fully on its own, the body can sometimes create enough scar tissue and muscle support to restore basic knee stability without surgery, especially when supported by bracing, therapy, and regenerative treatments.
How long does it take for an ACL to heal naturally?
Healing naturally from an ACL tear usually takes between 3 to 12 months, depending on the severity of the tear, your age, your activity level, and how well you follow a recovery plan that includes physical therapy and other supportive treatments.
Can I bend my knee with a torn ACL?
Yes, you can typically still bend your knee with a torn ACL. However, the range of motion may be limited in the early stages due to swelling, pain, or instability. Controlled movement through physical therapy can help restore flexibility safely.
Can you fully straighten your knee with a torn ACL?
In many cases, yes, but it depends on the severity of the tear and whether other structures like the meniscus are involved. Early on, pain and inflammation may prevent full extension, but proper rehab often restores this over time.
Why does my knee hurt when I bend it?
Knee pain when bending could be due to swelling, joint irritation, or damage to surrounding structures like cartilage or the meniscus. A torn ACL often causes pain during movement, especially if the knee feels unstable or lacks proper support.
Can PRP help with an ACL tear?
Yes, PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) can help support healing in certain ACL injuries, especially partial tears. PRP works by delivering concentrated growth factors directly to the injury site, which may reduce inflammation and promote tissue repair. When combined with physical therapy, it can improve outcomes and potentially shorten recovery time for some patients.
