Core Principles for ACL Rehab

A rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most common and challenging injuries in sports medicine. It comprises more than 50% of knee injuries in the United States each year often requiring surgical reconstruction andextensive long-term rehabilitation. Despite the plethora of research and new advances in training and treatment options, the incidence of ACL injuries continues to rise especially amongst young athletes.

Physical therapy has been shown to be critical to both surgical and non-surgical recovery. However, ACL rehabilitation protocols vary greatly with a need for more comprehensive knowledge on rehabilitation, testing, anddecision making. This dynamic course will provide attendees with an evidence-based playbook to develop successful ACL rehab programs. This course will also provide attendees with a structured framework for guidance on safe and effective return to sport and gradual return to performance.

Target Audience: Physical Therapists, Physical Therapist Assistants, Athletic Trainers

Delivery Format: Synchronous, Live in-person course to be attended at a physical location

Highlights

• Strengthen your understanding of the anatomy and biomechanics of the anterior cruciate ligament and its various implications for rehab
• Analyze the major pros and cons of the different post-operative ACL graft types and develop treatment strategies for successful outcomes
• Learn about two alternative treatment options (BEAR procedure, cross-brace protocol) vs reconstruction for treating ACL injuries
• Design effective exercise programs based on your understanding of periodization and a criteria-based approach
• Utilize evidence-based testing and training to determine if your patient is ready for specific activities like jumping, running, and agility training
• Implement a three-phase criteria to decide when your patient is ready to return to sport and develop appropriate training strategies for return to performance