About Course

ACL injuries are common among the recreational sports participant. According to the literature ACL rehab is not doing a good job in returning the athlete back to play. Met analysis studies that review over 5800 patients indicated that less than 50% of the patients returned to their sport. This course looks at some considerations for improving rehabilitation following ACL surgical repair. The course discusses surgical intervention, assessment, eccentric loading concepts in remodeling collagen fibers, improving the three balance systems somatosensory, ocular motor – vestibular, and vision, knee flexion angles to facilitate hamstring control of anterior shearing forces, and strengthening the posterior lateral hip muscles. (Intermediate Level)

PRESENTERS

Dr. Robert Donatelli, PhD, PT has experience as National Director of Sports Rehabilitation Physiotherapy Associates, personal physical therapist for Andy Roddick, ATP tour, physical therapist for the PGA Tour, consultant for the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers, Clinic Director of an outpatient facility providing Sports and Orthopedic rehabilitation, and Physical Therapist for the Champions Tour of Tennis with Jimmy Conners and John McEnroe. He is the editor of Physical Therapy of the Shoulder 4th Edition, Orthopedic Physical Therapy 3rd Edition, and the 2006 textbook Sports Specific Rehabilitation. Dr. Donatelli also lectures internationally on orthopedic topics.

OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course, the participant will be able to:

1. Understand the different somato-sensory and Ocular motor balance systems and how they can reduce the risk of re-tearing ACL.

2. Identify the risk factors In rehabilitation related to ACL tears.

3. Identify exercises that are important to the rehab of post rehab ACL.

4. Avoid certain exercises that put more strain to the ACL.

5. Identify the benefits of eccentric loading exercise.

6. Identify the anterior shearing forces to the ACL – open /closed chain exercises.

7. Identify hip strength of the posterior lateral hip muscles and understand the importance of these muscle groups.

AGENDA

Pre-Study: 30 Minutes Plan to read the course materials, references and review the post test before the start time. Please be prepared to share patient case study and related question during the discussion time.

10 min: Introduction

20 min: Anatomy of the knee

15 min: Literature review of ACL post-surgery return to activities

45 min: Exercise - Eccentric loading and ALC rehab

30 min: Balance systems and the importance in Rehab

Post-test: Research, identify, and submit your post test question answers on the online form. This is an open book test you can take multiple times if needed to obtain the 70% score