ACL Injuries Require Surgical Reconstruction
ACL tears require surgical reconstruction using tendon grafts from other areas of the knee or from cadavers. An ACL injury victim is "out for the season" and can expect to spend several weeks on crutches and a long period of rehabilitation.
Good Surgical Outcomes Require Physical Therapy
Physical therapists familiar with recent research know that rehabilitation from ACL injury should, in addition to conventional strength training treatment protocols, include specific neuromuscular training aimed at improving the athlete’s ability to avoid valgus alignment of the lower extremities during jumping and cutting movements. It is no longer acceptable to reconstruct the ACL but leave neuromuscular control deficient.
Return-to-Play at Physical Therapy of Los Gatos
Despite the seriousness of ACL injury, most young athletes are eager to get back in the game as soon as possible. The jump strength training program at Physical Therapy of Los Gatos is the principal element of return-to-play rehabilitation from ACL reconstructive surgery as well as a standalone performance improvement module. The program includes jump analysis, strength conditioning, and neuromuscular training designed to improve power and acceleration, coordinate lower-limb function, and minimize the risk of re-injury or bilateral (opposite knee) injury. The neuromuscular training methods employed include visual, auditory and proprioceptive cues that train athletes to use muscular strength to absorb jump impacts in a controlled fashion, and, if necessary, to correct jumping, landing, and pivoting techniques in order to avoid forces associated with injury.
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