ACL - May 5, 2016
“ACL” Up to Date – May: Top 3 Things to consider during rehabilitation
1. “Early rehabilitation goals – the one leg rise test”: Early patellofemoral osteoarthritis features 1 year after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction predict symptoms and quality of life at 3 years (Culvenor, et al. 2015)

Why I like it: Predictability, early identification. This study outlines features that we can be aware of early following ACLR that can predict those with worsening symptoms as early asOLR 3 years post ACLR. This gives meaning to outcomes measures we can perform post ACLR and help with patient motivation.

Take home message: The one leg rise test is a useful clinical assessment tool that can be assessed with minimal equipment, with predictive meaning. It can give a patient an early rehabilitative goal to work towards (perhaps starting with double leg, moving to single and different heights)

quadriceps2. Quadriceps Strength Assessment: Quadriceps Strength Predicts Self-reported Function Post ACL Reconstruction (Pietrosimone, et al. 2016)

Why I like it: Assesses two different measures of quadriceps strength: normalised to body mass and comparing to non-operated limb. Also, again these measures provide meaningful assessment that predicts future outcomes. Patients love numbers!

Take home message: Deficits may be present in both limbs following ACLR, important to consider this in our rehabilitation and outcome measures for return to activity/sport

Questions: Stay tuned for an upcoming blog on all things objective strength assessment – equipment needed, how to and the evidence.

3. Patellofemoral Joint Osteoarthritis (PFJ OA): Are We Missing an Important Source of Symptoms After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction? (Culvenor, et al. 2016)

Why I like it: An easy to read commentary that is clinically relevant and nicely summarises a large amount of high quality research.

Take home message: Anterior knee pain and PFJ OA are common early after ACLR – must be mindful of rehabilitation exercises used in those at risk.

Questions: Who is at risk?:  See next months blog for a summary of risk factors for PFJ OA… “Do you know if your patient had a PFJ cartilage lesion at time of injury…?