What is better for physical therapy after acl repair - elliptical machine or stationary bike?

Personal preference: Both elliptical machines and stationary bikes are great adjuncts to an ACL reconstruction rehabilitation program. They both protect the recovering knee and new ACL from unsafe forces such as rotating and pivoting while also limiting impact loading. Some patients do not like one or the other pieces of equipment, so it is nice to have various options.

Depends: Ask your orthopaedic surgeon and rehab therapist. You want to consider the range of motion in each exercise and the effect on the repair. They are quite different exercises. You might even do best by doing a little easy work on both. Easy is key. Ask the treating folks. Good luck.