Rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction has undergone significant changes during the last decade. The purpose of this article is to review the accelerated rehabilitation program that was described by Shelbourne and Nitz in 1990. A summary of current basic science related to the ACL and ACL reconstruction is presented. Additionally, we present our preoperative, intra-operative, and postoperative recommendations for optimizing results while at the same time minimizing the risk for loss of motion following ACL reconstruction. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1992;15(6):270-278.