title: Suggestions from the field for return-to-sport rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: alpine skiing.
abstract: Alpine skiing is a high-risk sport for injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL). While descending a hill, a skier must resist large centrifugal forces at a high velocity, while the knees are positioned in postures that place the ACL at risk of injury. Skiers who undergo ACL reconstructive surgery are prone to a high rate of reinjury to the same knee and even ACL injury in the uninjured knee. A rehabilitation program that integrates the best current evidence of ACL rehabilitation and the science of skiing is essential to a successful return to alpine skiing. Unlike rehabilitation programs developed for court or field athletes, a skiing program must place a large emphasis on slow eccentric-loading and weight-bearing (closed-chain) power and endurance. The purpose of this clinical commentary is to provide the rehabilitation specialist such a program directed toward safely returning the athlete to alpine skiing.
authors.affiliation: Howard Head Sports Medicine, Denver, CO, USA. dirk@hhsmc.com
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Kokmeyer
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wahoff
authors.forename: Matt
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mymern
mesh_terms: D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction / Q000534:rehabilitation*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D008297:Male; D053580:Muscle Strength / Q000502:physiology; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000502:physiology; D010807:Physical Endurance / Q000502:physiology; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D020127:Recovery of Function / Q000502:physiology*; D012865:Skiing / Q000293:injuries / Q000502:physiology*; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D016474:Weight-Bearing