Return to soccer following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are among the most common injuries of lower limb in soccer. The touchstone for treatment of ACL tear is surgical reconstruction, which may overcome functional instability of knee joint, thereby lowering the risk of subsequent damage to articular cartilage and menisci. However, there is lacking clear criteria when deciding with players aiming for return to competitive games after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) surgery. Several disparities related to the player “return to play” remain controversy. For example, how should “return to play” be distinguished exactly? When is the ideal timing to enable a return to play? What factors affect return to play? Which objective measure can be used in the decision-making process? The aim of this annotated bibliography is to outline key evidences and criteria-based progression available for players to optimally safe return to competitive soccer after undergoing ACL reconstruction.
1) Bizzini, M., Hancock, D., & Impellizzeri, F. (2012). Suggestions from the field for return to sports participation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Soccer. …show more content…
The author discriminates between different types of return to play. The first ‘return’ is the most significant because the players need to psychologically and physically fit to transition from individual rehabilitation to team training, where the player is intensely exposed to contact with other players and re-injury. This article shows strength and functional deficiency in the injured knee may persist beyond 6 month or even up to 18 month after ACLR, despite being cleared to play. The author recommends the rehabilitation phases of return to soccer should emphasize on biomechanical aspect; correcting abnormal soccer-specific movement patterns related to the
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears are among the most common injuries of lower limb in soccer. The touchstone for treatment of ACL tear is surgical reconstruction, which may overcome functional instability of knee joint, thereby lowering the risk of subsequent damage to articular cartilage and menisci. However, there is lacking clear criteria when deciding with players aiming for return to competitive games after ACL reconstruction (ACLR) surgery. Several disparities related to the player “return to play” remain controversy. For example, how should “return to play” be distinguished exactly? When is the ideal timing to enable a return to play? What factors affect return to play? Which objective measure can be used in the decision-making process? The aim of this annotated bibliography is to outline key evidences and criteria-based progression available for players to optimally safe return to competitive soccer after undergoing ACL reconstruction.
1) Bizzini, M., Hancock, D., & Impellizzeri, F. (2012). Suggestions from the field for return to sports participation following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: Soccer. …show more content…
The author discriminates between different types of return to play. The first ‘return’ is the most significant because the players need to psychologically and physically fit to transition from individual rehabilitation to team training, where the player is intensely exposed to contact with other players and re-injury. This article shows strength and functional deficiency in the injured knee may persist beyond 6 month or even up to 18 month after ACLR, despite being cleared to play. The author recommends the rehabilitation phases of return to soccer should emphasize on biomechanical aspect; correcting abnormal soccer-specific movement patterns related to the