In my online presentation, I review the recent literature on reducing the risk of primary and secondary ACL injuries; specifically criteria-driven rehab and return to sport testing, and the added benefit of increased physical performance via injury prevention programs.

1. How can we reduce the risk of
primary and secondary ACL injury?
A review of recent literature
By Mick Hughes
(Grad. Cert. Sports Physio, B. Physio, B. Ex. Sci.)

2. Overview
• ACL mechanism of injury
• ACL Pathophysiology
• Pre-op ACL rehab
• Post-op ACL rehab
• 2nd ACL injuries
• Neuromuscular training programs

3. Mechanisms of Injury – Non-Contact

4. Mechanism of Injury – Indirect Contact

5. Mechanism of Injury - Contact

6. Pathophysiology Of ACL Injury
• Typical: Valgus stress (landing, cutting, lateral contact)
– Non-contact ACL injuries occur within 30–50 m/sec from initial
contact of the foot onto the ground during sports movements
• Atypical: Hyperextension mechanism of injury
• “Pop” or “crack”
• Immediate pain – most likely unable to play on
• Swelling within 2 hours (haemathrosis)
• Instability
• Can also injure MCL and medial meniscus – “Angry Triad”
• Cartilage defect and bone bruising  Slow rehab

7. ACL – Who is Most at Risk?

8. ACL Injury – The Most Common
• Female athletes are 2-8x more likely to sustain
ACL injury than males (Hilibrand et al., 2015)
• Peak incidence F: 14-18yrs, M: 19-25 yrs
(Sanders et al., 2016)
• Non-contact injuries: 70-85% of all ACL tears
(Walden et al., 2015)

9. ACL on MRI

10. ACL Presentation
• To access the full 80min presentation and
recording, head over to
www.mickhughes.physio and click on ACL
LECTURE.
• Follow the 3 simple steps to access, and
ENJOY!!
• I hope you enjoy the content presented and
learn something valuable to help your ACL
patient outcomes.