Safe Return to Play After ACL Reconstruction

Study Overview
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Brief Summary
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Recent studies report that as few as 44% of athletes undergoing ACL reconstruction were able to return to their prior level of competitive level of sports. Early return may predispose an individual to re-injury including graft re-tear, meniscal tears, chondral injuries, and contralateral knee injuries. Criteria governing clearance to return to sports after ACL reconstruction has been traditionally defined using time from surgery and one or two objective criteria, often solely isokinetic quad/hamstring strength. Several studies have suggested that historical criteria used to assess readiness to return to play (RTP) are insufficient in identifying individuals at risk of a re-injury. They advocate for additional functional and dynamic testing, which may better reflect the complex kinematics required in high level athletic competition. We previously developed a Safe Return to Play Following ACL Reconstruction Checklist based on a systematic review of the literature and expert survey. Seven objective measures were developed as part of the checklist. The checklist is performed by a certified physical therapist trained in these performance tests. The purpose of this study is to validate the utility of our Return to Play Checklist by evaluating our patients prospectively for return to play following ACL reconstruction by comparing a cohort of patient undergoing testing with the checklist versus clinical judgement.

Official Title
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Safe Return to Play Following ACL Reconstruction: Validation of a Return to Play Checklist

Conditions
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ACL Tear

Intervention / Treatment
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* Diagnostic Test: Safe Return to Play Following ACL Reconstruction Checklist


Participation Criteria
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Eligibility Criteria
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Inclusion Criteria: All patients ages 15-35 undergoing primary ACL reconstruction Exclusion Criteria: patients who are undergoing revision ACL surgery

Ages Eligible for Study
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Minimum Age: 15 Years
Maximum Age: 35 Years

Sexes Eligible for Study
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All

Study Plan
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How is the study designed?
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Arms and Interventions

| Participant Group/Arm | Intervention/Treatment |
| --- | --- |
| Return to Play Testing using Checklist<br>Participants will be evaluated prospectively for return to play following ACL reconstruction by testing with the Safe return to play following ACL reconstruction checklist | Diagnostic Test: Safe Return to Play Following ACL Reconstruction Checklist<br>* All participants who have undergone primary ACL reconstruction will receive PT evaluation using our Return to Play Checklist at 7 months post-op, prior to return to sports<br>|
| Return to Play Testing using Clinical Judgment<br>Participants will be evaluated prospectively for return to play following ACL reconstruction by testing with clinical judgement | |

What is the study measuring?
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Primary Outcome Measures

| Outcome Measure | Measure Description | Time Frame |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Return to Play | Participants will be evaluated prior to returning to sports using the return to play checklist | 7 months |