Image Source dailytrojan com Image Source imsexperts net

Image Source: dailytrojan. com Image Source: imsexperts. net Image Source: verywellhealth. co RETURN TO SPORTS POST ACL TEAR BY LILY NGO

ANTERIOR CRUCIAL LIGAMENT • Ligament found in knee that stabilizes the joint • Connects the femur to the tibia • Tears are very common and mostly occurs within athletes 100, 000 – 200, 000 tears each year in the United States • Can be replaced with patellar tendon hamstring tendon quad tendon • Tears caused by bad landing, cutting motion, or hit to the knee Image source: mayoclinic. org

PATELLAR TENDON PROS CONS • Bone to bone healing • Pain when kneeling • Most similar graft to the ACL • Higher risk or patellar fracture • Quickest return to cutting motions • Long-term pain in front of knee • Big incision site

HAMSTRING TENDON PROS • Does not have long term pain in anterior part of knee, unlike patellar tendon • Smaller incision site CONS • Longer recovery time • Second surgery may be needed for removal of screws • Overall pain post surgery is minimal • Range of motion is acquired faster Image source: wiringdiagrams. c

QUADRICEPS TENDON PROS • Risk of infection is minimal CONS • Rehabilitation is challenging • Does not have long term pain in • Improper harvest could lead to the anterior part of knee, unlike patellar rectus femoris retracting tendon • Bleeding • Minimally invasive • Less pain post-surgery Image source: sciencedirect. c

POST SURGERY There are 4 important dates to mark rehabilitation progress ALL THESE LEAD TO…. . 3 months Image source: Dreamstop. com 6 months 9 months 12 months RECOVERY

3 MONTHS • Immediately following surgery, physical therapy will begin • Knee extension exercises with towel are performed multiple times daily • By month three, tasks such as walking and jogging will help lead patient to start running Image source: choc. org Image source: alligator. org Image source: aaptiv. com

6 MONTHS • Patient is able to return back to sports • Specific rehabilitation drills are designed to help patient return back to desired sport • Movements such as cutting and sharp turns are introduced into program • Full range of motion should be gained • Stretching exercises still continued daily to prevent loss of ROM Image source: joionline. net

9 MONTHS • If return to sport by 6 months could not be achieved, 9 months is the normal return • Risk of re-injury reduces • Jumping and landing exercises are performed to help athlete adapt to impact • Valgus correction exercises are emphasized to help reduce risk of injury Image source: blog. mapmyrun. com

EXAMPLE Improper Squat Technique (Valgus) Proper Squat Technique Correction Training Image source: semanticscholar. org

12 MONTHS • Definite return to sport • Strength and skill from post ACL reconstruction returns • Complete ROM • Check-ups with surgeon are discontinued • Physical therapy discontinued • Important for athlete to continue proper stretching techniques Image source: gohighlanders. com