Functional recovery following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction was compared between patients who received ketoralac tromethamine (Toradol) and those who received parenteral narcotics. Initial postoperative rehabilitation following ACL reconstruction may be influenced by postoperative analgesia. The purpose of this study was to determine whether the attainment of functional milestones (FMs) differed between patients who received Toradol and those who received parenteral narcotics. One hundred and four consecutive ACL patients ranging in age from 14 to 41 years were monitored for postoperative day (POD) of achievement of crutch ambulation, stair negotiation, active knee flexion to 90° and discharge. Independent t-tests corrected for multiple measures were used to compare the groups. The results were as follows: POD of unassisted FMs (mean (SD); ∗P < 0.01 (corrected formultiple measures)) Flex to 90°∗ Crutches∗ Stairs∗ DC∗ Group I (Toradol), n = 47 1.6 (0.62) 1.3 (0.47) 1.8 (0.55) 2.2 (0.44) Group II (no Toradol), n = 57 2.0 (0.62) 1.8 (0.75) 2.2 (0.61) 2.7 (0.79) There was a significant delay in achievement of all FMs in patients who did not receive Toradol for analgesia.