Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) injuries are common in sports that require ‘change-of-direction’ by athletes. I often see these injuries in the football codes and netball. During the season, it is not uncommon that we see another athlete with an ACL injury every week.

As a surgeon, I usually see the athletes once the diagnosis of ACL rupture has been made, or is highly suspected. Discussion at that stage is about the management, which in most athletes is surgical.

Surgery is only part of the solution, and a rehabilitation program specific to ACL injury is critical for a successful return to sport.

One of the key aspects of the latter stages of rehab is implementing injury prevention strategies. An appropriate prevention program is essential in preventing re-injury to the reconstructed knee and preventing injury to the ‘good’ knee.

Athletes who have had an ACL reconstruction have an increased rate of subsequent ACL injury, both in the reconstructed knee (graft rupture), and in the opposite knee.

A systematic review published in 2011 (1) showed a rate of graft rupture of 5.8%, and the rate of an ACL tear in the opposite knee was 11.8%

Therefore ACL injury prevention is a vital component of rehab and a crucial part of ongoing prevention.

There are several knee-injury prevention programs. Two of the most popular are the Prevent Injury and Enhance Performance Program (PEP) and the FIFA 11+. Both of these show a decreased rate of knee injuries - including ACL rupture, compared to control groups that did not complete the program (2,3).

So whether you have had an ACL reconstruction, or if you want to do everything in your power to prevent knee injuries, it is worthwhile discussing these prevention programs with your surgeon, physiotherapist, or trainer.

Learn more

Links:

https://www.aclstudygroup.com/pdf/pep-program.pdf

https://www.fifamedicalnetwork.com/lessons/prevention-acl-injuries/

References

1. Wright, R. W., Magnussen, R. A., Dunn, W. R., & Spindler, K. P. (2011). Ipsilateral graft and contralateral ACL rupture at five years or more following ACL reconstruction: a systematic review. The Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery, 93(12), 1159–1165. http://doi.org/10.2106/JBJS.J.00898

2. Noyes, F. R., & Barber-Westin, S. D. (2012). Anterior cruciate ligament injury prevention training in female athletes: a systematic review of injury reduction and results of athletic performance tests. Sports Health, 4(1), 36–46. http://doi.org/10.1177/1941738111430203

Silvers-Granelli, H. J., Bizzini, M., Arundale, A., Mandelbaum, B. R., & Snyder-Mackler, L. (2017). Does the FIFA 11+ Injury Prevention Program Reduce the Incidence of ACL Injury in Male Soccer Players? Clinical Orthopaedics and Related Research, 475(10), 2447–2455. http://doi.org/10.1007/s11999-017-5342-5

ACL Injury Prevention

Consulting Rooms