title: Current Rehabilitation Concepts for Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery in Athletes.
abstract: The anterior cruciate ligament is the most commonly disrupted ligament in the knee in high-performance athletes. Most recently, advancements in surgical technique and graft fixation have enabled athletes to participate in early postoperative rehabilitation, focusing on range of motion and progressing to patellar mobilization, strengthening, and neuromuscular control. Several rehabilitation protocols exist with variations in specific exercises, progression through phases, and key components. The ultimate goal of rehabilitation is to return the athlete to preinjury performance level, including motion and strength, without injuring or elongating the graft. Each athlete is unique; thus, safe return to play should be individualized rather than follow a particular postoperative month or time line. This article provides an overview of the application and the scientific basis for formulating a rehabilitation protocol prior to and following anterior cruciate ligament surgery.
authors.forename: Chaitu
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Malempati
authors.forename: John
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jurjans
authors.forename: Brian
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Noehren
authors.forename: Mary L
authors.initials: ML
authors.lastname: Ireland
authors.forename: Darren L
authors.initials: DL
authors.lastname: Johnson
mesh_terms: D016118:Anterior Cruciate Ligament / Q000601:surgery*; D000070598:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries; D059549:Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D007718:Knee Injuries / Q000534:rehabilitation* / Q000601:surgery; D026741:Physical Therapy Modalities; D011182:Postoperative Care; D011300:Preoperative Care; D000068958:Return to Sport