The Role of the Strength and Conditioning Professional during Long-Term Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Recovery

by Jonathan Kilian, PT, DPT, CSCS, CSPS and Garrett Kendall, PT, DPT, ATC, CSCS
NSCA Coach August 2023
Vol 10, Issue 2

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This article focuses on interprofessional collaboration for optimizing athlete return to sport (RTS).

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This article originally appeared in NSCA Coach, a quarterly publication for NSCA Members that provides valuable takeaways for every level of strength and conditioning coach. You can find scientifically based articles specific to a wide variety of your athletes’ needs with Nutrition, Programming, and Youth columns. Read more articles from NSCA Coach Â»

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References

  1. Badawy, CR, Jan, K, Beck, EC, Fleet, N, Taylor, J, Ford, K, and Waterman, BR. Contemporary principles for postoperative rehabilitation and return to sport for athletes undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. Arthroscopy, Sports Medicine, and Rehabilitation 4(1): 2022.
  2. Barber-Westin, S, and Noyes, FR. One in 5 athletes sustain reinjury upon return to high-risk sports after ACL reconstruction: A systematic review in 1239 athletes younger than 20 years. Sports Health 12(6): 587-597, 2020.
  3. Beaulieu, ML, DeClercq, MG. Rietberg, NT, Li, SH, Harker, EC, Weber, AE, et al. The anterior cruciate ligament can become hypertrophied in response to mechanical loading: A magnetic resonance imaging study in elite athletes. American Journal of Sports Medicine 49(9): 2371-2378, 2021.
  4. Beischer, S, Gustavsson, L, Senorski, EH, Karlsson, J, Thomee, C, Samuelsson, K, and Thomee, R. Young athletes who return to sport before 9 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction have a rate of new injury 7 times that of those who delay return. The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy 50(2): 83-90, 2020.
  5. Buckthorpe, M. Optimizing the late-stage rehabilitation and return-to-sport training and testing process after ACL reconstruction. Sports Medicine 49(7): 1043-1058, 2019.
  6. Buckthorpe, M, and Della Villa, F. Recommendations for plyometric training after ACL reconstruction - A clinical commentary. International Journal of Sports Physical Therapy 16(3): 879-895, 2021.
  7. Capin, JJ, Snyder-Mackler, L, Risberg, MA, and Grindem, H. Keep calm and carry on testing: A substantive reanalysis and critique of ‘what is the evidence for and validity of return-to-sport testing after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery? A systematic review and meta-analysis. British Journal of Sports Medicine 53(23): 1444-1447, 2019.
  8. De Mille, P, and Osmack, J. Performance: Bridging the gap after ACL surgery. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine 10(3): 297-306, 2017.
  9. Gornitzky, AL, Lott, A, Yellin, JL, Fabricant, PD, Lawrence, JT, and Ganley, TJ. Sport-specific yearly risk and incidence of anterior cruciate ligament tears in high school athletes. The American Journal of Sports Medicine 44(10): 2716-2723, 2016.
  10. Grzelak, P, Podgorski, M, Stefanczyk, L, Krochmalski, M, and Domzalski, M. Hypertrophied cruciate ligament in high performance weightlifters observed in magnetic resonance imaging. International Orthopaedics 36(8): 1715-1719, 2012.
  11. Hewett, TE, Myer, GD, Ford, KR, Paterno, MV, and Quatman, CE. Mechanisms, prediction, and prevention of ACL injuries: Cut isk with three sharpened and validated tools. Journal of Orthopaedic Research 34(11): 1843-1855, 2016.
  12. Ithburburn, MP, Altenburger, AR, Hewett, TE, Paterno, MV, and Schmitt, LC. Young athletes after ACL reconstruction with quadriceps strength asymmetry at the time of return-to-sport demonstrate decreased knee function 1 year later. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 26(2): 426-433, 2018.
  13. Joseph, AM, Collins, CL, Henke, NM, Yard, EE, Fields, SK, and Comstock, RD. A multisport epidemiologic comparison of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in high school athletics. Journal of Athletic Training 48(6): 810-817, 2013.
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About the author

Jonathan Kilian, DPT, CSPS, CSCS

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Jon Kilian is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) as well as a Certified Special Populations Specialist (CSPS) both through the Na ...

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Garrett Kendall, CSCS

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Garrett Kendall currently serves as a performance physical therapist at EXOS headquarters in Phoenix, AZ. At EXOS, Kendall manages the care of high-le ...

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