What is best in acl repair physical therapy, an elliptical machine or stationary bike?

Physical therapy: Physical may include dozens of different exercises including the two you mentioned. Consulting with a physical therapist after surgery is critical to the healing process.

Stationary bike: After acl reconstructions, the quad muscles are very much inhibited by a complex protective mechanism in our brain. Because of this, the quad muscles do not function normally and become easily deconditioned. Stationary bike, straight leg raises, and stair climbing, become the most important parts of the rehab program. The elliptical does not help here, but is an excellent cardio workout.

I: Suggest you check with the surgeon that did the acl surgery.

Acl exercises: I prefer the stationary bike to ensure improved bending of the knee and balance of the hamstrings and quads.

All three: Most acl reconstruction patients have quad muscle inhibition after surgery, so controlling quad function is a major part of physical therapy. A stationary bicycle also helps by working on the quad muscle group. The elliptical machine does not specifically help with the quad or knee muscle groups, but is an excellent overall conditioning system.