“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 bailey1150 Douglas Pike

Smithfield, RI 02917Bryant 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 555.555.5555

“HAVING A PAIN

FREE KNEE WOULD

MAKE LIFE

SO MUCH EASIER”

ROADTO RECOVERY

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

ROADTO 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.