Introduction The development of degenerative changes within the knee following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is well recognized. However, defining the exact prevalence of osteoarthritis (OA) after ACL injury or reconstruction of the ACL is a challenge for several reasons.…
Acknowledgments I would to thank my KPACLRR colleagues Gregory B. Maletis, MD; Tadashi T. Funahashi, MD; Jason Chen, MA; and Rebecca Love, MPH, RN, for their invaluable collaboration on our research, and the many Kaiser Permanente orthopaedic surgeons who contribute…
Introduction Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury is a common knee injury suffered predominantly by active individuals. Groups at highest risk for ACL tear include professional and amateur athletes, with annual incidence rates estimated to be between 0.15% and 3.67% and…
What is Quality of Life? The World Health Organization has defined quality of life (QOL) as an individual’s perception of their position in life in the context of the culture and value systems in which they live and in relation…
The Definition of Stability After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction The truest definition of stability after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) would be the normalization of the pivot shift in the anesthetized patient, which is obviously never measured in a follow-up…
Introduction Prehabilitation was coined in the 1980s, defined as the process enhancing functional capacity of the individual to enable them to withstand the stressor of inactivity . Although not initially used in the setting of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury…
Introduction Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are a common knee injury, with a reported estimate of 200,000 ACL injuries annually in the United States. Annual ACL reconstruction rates have been reported to be increasing in the United States, with recent…
Introduction Most rehabilitation programs for patients who have undergone anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction include exercises and drills that are directed toward improving neuromuscular function and coordination. They are often loosely referred to as proprioceptive training exercises. This chapter explores…
Introduction The primary goal of anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) is to restore stability without sacrificing mobility or strength. The primary purpose of ACLR rehabilitation is to restore mobility and strength without sacrificing stability. It is the central hypothesis of…
Introduction Rehabilitation with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has evolved considerably since the 1970s, when intra-articular ACL reconstructions were first being performed. We have evolved from using casts on the leg for 6 weeks after surgery to no immobilization at…