ACL injuries can be a devastating event for an individual involved in sports.  Not only is that individual not able to participate in sports, the rehabilitation process can be long and cumbersome.  At TheraCare Physical Therapy, we take every measure to meet patients’ needs and return them back to their respective sport without fear of a recurrent injury.

Numerous studies have examined which type of exercises are best to return a patient who has had ACL surgery, or has had a partial tear that does not require surgery, back to their respective sport.  Many studies have looked at the effect of open kinetic chain exercises versus closed kinetic chain exercises, as well as the effect of perturbation training.  Most studies show that closed kinetic chain exercises are more effective and safer than open kinetic chain exercises.  In a few recent studies, however, it has been shown that open kinetic chain exercises, performed in a limited range of motion can be very effective as well.  With this knowledge, we are better able to design an individualized exercise program while maintaining the integrity of the new ACL graft.

Performing strengthening exercises alone, however, is not the most effective method to prepare an athlete to return to sport.  Perturbation training, along with strengthening exercises, can help optimize the injured athlete’s goal of return to sport.  Many studies have shown the effectiveness of strength training alone versus strength training with perturbation training.  In athletes who have had ACL reconstructive surgery, or those who do not require surgery, the addition of perturbation training greatly increased the athlete’s performance and significantly decreased the probability of a second ACL injury.

At TheraCare Physical Therapy, we are able to incorporate all aspects of training into an individualized exercise program that will help optimize the rehabilitation for the athlete who has suffered an ACL injury.  With our extensive background of ACL injuries, not only can we provide great care, we can also make the rehabilitation process enjoyable by matching the needs of the athlete to their respective sport.