One of the most common injuries that occurs during non-contact sport is a tear of the ACL, a crucial ligament in the twisting, turning and pivoting that many non-contact sport requires. The (American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons) AAOS has approved Appropriate Use Criteria (AUCs) for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention programs and treatment, as well as rehabilitation and function checklists to help guide and ensure a safe return to sports for the treated athlete.
Here we list out the 6 major issues and clinically evidence support for assisting ACLR patients trying to return to previous activity level.
Outlines the postsurgical protocol, from early range of motion, weight bearing and closed and open chain quad and hamstring therapy, to rehabilitative bracing and neuromuscular stimulation to prevent autogenic muscle inhibition (AMI) and atrophy.
Functional Bracing After ACLR: A Systematic Review
Lowe WR, et al J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2017 Mar;25(3):239-249.
Dr Walt Lowe's over 25 years of experience with Donjoy
Conclusion and author's recommendation:
The authors prefer their patients to use postoperative functional bracing during physical activity for 6 - 12mo after RTS to protect healing tissues, to reduce kinesiophobia, and to facilitate return to previous levels of competition.
Bhullar R, et al, Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2019 Feb;27(2):524-533.
Group of Orthopedic Sports Medicine Doctors Testimonies of XROM Knee
Conclusion and author's recommendation:Extension locking bracing had the lowest tunnel widening of all the brace protocols, including no brace.
Hop testing symmetry improves with time and while wearing a functional knee brace in ACLR athletes
Peebles AT, et al Clin Biomech (Bristol, Avon). 2019 Dec;70:66-71.
Conclusion and author's recommendation: The results support using a functional brace during athletic activities for improving symmetry in the early RTS period.
Watch this video to learn about the importance of Symmetry before RTS
Théoret D, et al, Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc. 2006 Jun;14(6):555-63.
Conclusion and author's recommendation: Muscle activity showed consistent trend to increase for the hamstrings and decrease for the quadriceps.
The effect of proprioceptive knee bracingon knee stability after ACLR
Hanzlíkováac I, et al, Gait & Posture. 2019Jan;67:242-247.
Budini A, et al, GPhysiotherapy Practice and Research 39, 2018July; 91-98.
Conclusion and author's recommendation: Muscle wearing a Reaction brace significantly improvedrotational knee control during a sport-specific (pivot turn jump) task andhence can reduce the risk factors for reinjury.
External supports improve knee performance in ACLRindividuals with higher kinesiophobia levels.
Harput G, et al. Knee. 2016 Oct;23(5):807-12.
Conclusion and author's recommendation:
The Donjoy Drytex Economy Hinged Knee brace is auseful option to assist ACLR individuals in overcoming kinesiophobia duringreturn to preinjury activity level and/or sport. When compared withkinesiotaping, the brace appeared to be more effective at enhancing kneestrength and selfreported knee function.
Post ACLR: Improving Loading Symmetry & Neuromuscular Training for Safe Return To Sports
How to RTS from ACL injury? part 1 (English subtitle) [前十字韌帶受傷後如何重返運動? 上集]
How to RTS from ACL injury? Part 2 (Chinese with English subtitle) [前十字韌帶受傷後如何重返運動? 下集]
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