ACL Protocol
- 1. “HAVING A PAIN FREE KNEE WOULD MAKE LIFE SO MUCH EASIER” ATHLETES WITH ACL INJURIES IN 2013: • Rajon Rondo (Celtics) • Robert Griffin III (Redskins) • Becky Hammon (SA Silver Stars) • Sam Bradford (Rams) • Reggie Wayne (Colts) • Stuart Holden (U.S. Soccer) Jenniqua bailey 1150 Douglas Pike Smithfield, RI 02917 Bryant University NON-SURGICAL OPTION • Many patients (usually non- athletes) jump straight into physical therapy and see if there is any improvement. • This option usually works well for patients that are older and less active. • Everyday treatment consists of: o Ibuprofen o Elevation o Ice • A knee brace will help with some stability. Enter Contact Information Here | 1127 Lombard Blvd. San Francisco, CA 59802 | phone 555.555.5555 | fax “HAVING A PAIN FREE KNEE WOULD MAKE LIFE SO MUCH EASIER” ROAD TO RECOVERY
- 2. Did You Know? ...... • There are multiple options for the replacement ACL (patellar, hamstring graft or cadaver). • Most ACL injuries occur by noncontact. • ACL tears are more common in women than men • The ACL is the smallest knee ligament. • ACL tears can’t be totally prevented. BACKGROUND Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) The anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is considered one of the most important of four strong ligaments in the knee and is often injured by athletes. The significance of the ACL is to provide (almost 80%) stability to the knee. It assists both the tibia and femur to correspond with each other so there is no stress across the knee joint. When the ACL is torn it is usually from overstretching of the ligament due to certain movements of the knee that strains it. Some examples of different strains are a sudden stop, shifting to change direction, and even collision. The first and most important approach after an ACL tear is immediate rehabilitation so there is no drastic loss of muscle. Rehabbing before ACL surgery allows for the process of recovery to be less of a struggle because the muscles around the knee are being maintained as much as possible. This also allows you to return to your sport within six months. With that being said my main focus are athletes, but this protocol is not limited to just competitors. The ultimate goal of this rehab program is to get the individual back to their old life with no limitations. This surgical procedure should not hold anyone back from returning to their everyday routine as long as they pursue the proper steps to recovery, starting and finishing with successful rehabilitation. LEG PRESS WALL SITS ROAD TO RECOVERY BICYCLE ABDUCTER BRIEF EXAMPLE OF ACL PROTOCOL Phase 1: in this phase you want to protect the knee, make sure the wounds are healing properly, and gain full extension and flexion. Phase 2: continue phase 1 and include muscle strengthening in quadriceps and eventually get rid of crutches. Phase 3: adding to the previous phases, start walking heel-toe and add conditioning. Phase 4: regain full muscle strength, work on conditioning, and start sport specific training. Phase 5: running, unrestricted direction change and impact drills leading up to full return.