Purpose: To assess the quality and variability found across anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rehabilitation protocols published online by academic orthopaedic programs.

Methods: Web-based ACL physical therapy protocols from United States academic orthopaedic programs available online were included for review. Main exclusion criteria included concomitant meniscus repair, protocols aimed at pediatric patients, and failure to provide time points for the commencement or recommended completion of any protocol components. A comprehensive, custom scoring rubric was created that was used to assess each protocol for the presence or absence of various rehabilitation components, as well as when those activities were allowed to be initiated in each protocol.

Results: Forty-two protocols were included for review from 155 U.S. academic orthopaedic programs. Only 13 protocols (31%) recommended a prehabilitation program. Five protocols (12%) recommended continuous passive motion postoperatively. Eleven protocols (26%) recommended routine partial or non-weight bearing immediately postoperatively. Ten protocols (24%) mentioned utilization of a secondary/functional brace. There was considerable variation in range of desired full-weight-bearing initiation (9 weeks), as well as in the types of strength and proprioception exercises specifically recommended. Only 8 different protocols (19%) recommended return to sport after achieving certain strength and activity criteria.

Conclusions: Many ACL rehabilitation protocols recommend treatment modalities not supported by current reports. Moreover, high variability in the composition and time ranges of rehabilitation components may lead to confusion among patients and therapists.

Level Of Evidence: Level II.

Download full-text PDF

Source
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.arthro.2016.01.033DOI Listing

Publication Analysis

Top Keywords

academic orthopaedic
16
protocols
11
quality variability
8
physical therapy
8
therapy protocols
8
anterior cruciate
8
cruciate ligament
8
acl rehabilitation
8
rehabilitation protocols
8
orthopaedic programs
8

Similar Publications

Background: Recurrent shoulder dislocations often lead to multiple encounters for reduction and eventual surgical stabilization, both of which involve exposure to opioids and potentially increase the risk of chronic opioid exposure. The purpose of our study was to characterize shoulder instability and compare pre- and post-reduction opioid usage in singular dislocators (SD) and recurrent dislocators (RD).

Methods: This retrospective study was performed at a single academic institution using a prospective database.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: The presence of foreign or unexpected external objects in the urinary tract, including the urethra, is a rare case. This case is a challenge for patients with schizophrenia. This case report presents when the unusual corpus alienum invades the urethra in schizophrenia patients.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background/objectives: This study aims to assess the effects of combined hormonal contraceptives (CHCs) on bone metabolism markers. It primarily measures osteocalcin and additionally examines other bone health markers, seeking to determine their responses to estrogen-progestogen treatments.

Methods: This study involved a comprehensive evaluation of the pertinent literature and a meta-analysis explicitly conducted on data describing women of reproductive age.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

The present Bayesian network meta-analysis compared the efficacy of intra-articular injections of different molecular weights of hyaluronic acid (HA) in patients with knee osteoarthritis. In November 2024, the following databases were accessed: PubMed, Web of Science, Google Scholar, and Embase. All randomised controlled trials investigating the efficacy of intra-articular HA injections for knee osteoarthritis were accessed.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Midfoot fractures in polytrauma patients are often an underappreciated injury relative to their other major injuries sustained. In this study, our aim was to explore the mechanisms and patterns of injury in polytrauma related midfoot fractures as compared to single limb injuries.

Setting: Multicentre observational study.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Want AI Summaries of new PubMed Abstracts delivered to your In-box?

Enter search terms and have AI summaries delivered each week - change queries or unsubscribe any time!