ACL RECONSTRUCTION RETURN TO SPORT TESTING IN MELBOURNE
HOW DO YOU KNOW YOU'RE READY TO RETURN TO SPORT AFTER AN ACL INJURY OR RECONSTRUCTION?
Wow, what a great question!
Let's discuss ACL return to sport testing as it's a major component of determining how your knee and body are functioning.
This will give you insights as to where gains still need to be made with regard to your ACL recovery, no matter if you've opted for the conservative non-surgical pathway, or you've had an ACL reconstruction.
Overall, it's about risk reduction.
The plan is to gain knowledge to help you understand if your knee is at the high end, or low end of risk of reinjury. It's not possible to ever guarantee a 100% risk reductio, though we want you to have ticked all the boxes that medical research has shown us to be relevant, in order to lower your risk of ACL reinjury as much as possible.
SEE WHAT ACL RETURN TO SPORT TESTING IN MELBOURNE LOOKS LIKE
ACL INJURY AND RECOVERY TESTING
ACL injuries result in a significant time away from sport and can impact a person's quality of life and function.
Many athletes won't return to their pre-injury level of sport and some athletes may be impacted by re-injury or secondary knee-related complaints that impact their rehabilitation, return to sport and quality of life.
Research demonstrates that inadequate rehabilitation combined with inadequate objective testing of knee function and premature return to sport may impact an athlete's sport performance and increase their risk of a second ACL injury.
When working with your current practitioner, you may need more detailed knowledge and information from elite force plate testing units, that they may not currently have access to. This is where the Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy ACL return to sport testing can help you.
We'll work in with your current treating practitioner to give them a report following your testing, so that they can use this knowledge to guide you as to next steps for a clear plan to return to sport.
If you're already working with the Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy team on your ACL recovery, then perfect - we can continue the journey with this extra knowledge we gain from these specific testing sessions.
WHAT IS ACL RETURN TO SPORT TESTING?
ACL return to sport testing can be a pivotal part of ensuring an athletes successful return to sport and activity and minimise the risk of re-injury.
ACL return to sport testing performed at Melbourne Spots Physiotherapy involves:
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Strength testing using VALD tension link dynamometer
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Strength testing using VALD ForceFrame
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Performance testing using VALD ForceDecks
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Performance testing using video capture software
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Assessment of return to sport readiness using questionairres (patient reported outcome measures)
The data captured in your ACL return to sport assessment can be used to provide your treating practitioner and physiotherapy team with specific insight into your knee function and performance and guide return to sport decision making. This can include:
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Comparison of strength and performance metrics to sport and age-specific normative data to objectively evaluate knee function.
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Identify residual strength and performance deficits that may impact successful rehabilitation and return to sport
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Identify any movement strategies that may increase an athlete's risk of secondary injury or impact their rehabilitation
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Provide a report of your strength and performance finding to allow your treating practitioner to develop informed and evidence-based rehabilitation programs that address any ongoing performance deficits, guide return to sport decision making and lower the risk as much as possible to achieve a successful return to activities.
Below is a SNIPPET of the ACL report we provide YOU WITH
IF I PASS ALL MY ACL TESTING AM I READY TO RETURN TO SPORT?
That's the $1 million dollar question.
The ACL testing performed at Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy gives you an indication of deficits, though is not a guarantee that you won't injure your knee again.
No one can 100% guarantee you that your knee is injury proof, though we use all the latest medical research and knowledge, plus technology to get your risk as low as possible.
Following your ACL testing session at Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy, you will be given a report to discuss with your referring or treating practitioner.
They will then use this information, in conjunction with other clinical and functional tests and metrics, to determine your suitability and risk level for a return to sport.
You current treating practitioner will use the information from the report, plus an analysis and consideration of the following points below to make an informed decision regarding whether you are ready for a full return to sport.
Other Considerations For A Successful Return To Sport After ACL Reconstruction:
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Non-modifiable risk factors – a conversation around the factors that need to be discussed, though aren't modifiable. e.g. gender, your age, your family history, your overall joint hypermobility/flexibility.
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Time since your surgery or injury – 9 months is the quickest return to sport, though research suggests 12+ months. If you are aged under 20 years, then ideally 18 months
- Knee clinical examination – knee range of motion, joint swelling, ACL surgical repair integrity
- Your goals - a discussion focused on the type and level of sport you plan to return to, and how effective your rehab has been so far.
- Clinical base assessment - essential tests looking at the control and quality of essential single leg squatting and hopping tests
Combining the Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy ACL return to sport protocols, with the considerations listed above gives you the best intel on whether your knee is ready for the safest green light to return to sport that we currently have evidence for. You can also read our blog about functional training.
HOW DOES A RETURN TO SPORT TEST ACTUALLY WORK?
Your ACL return to sport testing session will be around 55-70 minutes of actual testing time with you in the gym.
Following this, you are free to go, and your practitioner will get to work on curating your detailed report that will be sent to you, and your treating practitioner.
We'll email you the report in the coming days, and then you can work through the findings with your current treating practitioner, or engage the Melbourne Sports Physiotherapy team to continue to work through your rehab and to correct any imbalances that arise from the detailed report.
To make sure you've ticked all the boxes, we highly recommend you book an ACL return to sport test before making any mistakes on field!
BOOK ACL TEST NOW
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For return to sport testing fees and more information, please visit our Fees and FAQs page or call us on 03 9498 0205.