ACL Rehab 2023: Milestones and Clearing the Athlete's Key Components

Description

In this presentation, Luis Feigenbaum discusses the state of training and rehabilitation practices for athletes recovering from anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries. He emphasizes the responsibility of physical therapy education programs in addressing high re-tear and failure rates of ACL surgical procedures, pointing out that many physical therapists may not receive adequate training in therapeutic exercises. Feigenbaum compares the training of physical therapists to that of physicians, noting the lack of residency and fellowship opportunities in physical therapy, which could better prepare them to handle complex cases like ACL rehabilitation.



Feigenbaum highlights the importance of designing rehabilitation programs that promote proper loading of patients and the development of specialized physical therapy residency programs at the University of Miami. He shares a case study of a football athlete who injured his ACL, analyzing pre-injury data to contextualize recovery metrics, including loads, cuts, explosive efforts, and fatigue indicators. The presentation advocates for a merit-based return-to-sport model that relies on objective performance metrics rather than simply time-based recovery, aiming to create individualized rehabilitation plans that consider each athlete's unique data and recovery needs.

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