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Conservative Management of the ACL Deficient Knee

Presented by Eric Robertson

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Surgical repair of damaged anterior cruciate ligaments is almost a standard of care in the United States, with the vast majority of tears managed surgically. There is another option for some patients, however, and emerging evidence can help us identify who those people might be. This course overviews conservative management of ACL injury

Meet your instructor

Eric Robertson

Eric Robertson is an associate professor at the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah, and an associate professor of clinical physical therapy at the University of Southern California in Los Angeles, California. Previously, he served as director of graduate physical therapy education for Kaiser Permanente of Northern…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Usual vs Conservative Care for the ACL Deficient Knee

1. Usual vs Conservative Care for the ACL Deficient Knee

ACL injuries, though commonly managed through surgical repair, can be treated conservatively as well. This chapter compares and contrasts usual care of ACL injury versus a conservative management approach. Finally, this chapter provides some epidemiological background on ACL management.

Discussion with PT About ACL Care

2. Discussion with PT About ACL Care

This chapter discusses the management of an ACL knee from a conservative standpoint with a physical therapist.

Identification of ACL Injury

3. Identification of ACL Injury

Prior to any management decisions, careful attention should be paid to a thorough examination and diagnosis of ACL injuries. This chapter reviews signs and symptoms of ACL injuries and reviews ACL special tests.

Identification of Copers and Non-Copers

4. Identification of Copers and Non-Copers

This chapter reviews the definitions and evidence behind the concept of copers and non-copers. Differentiation between each subgroup is explored in detail and a conservative management rehabilitation program is presented.

Discussion about Timing and Copers

5. Discussion about Timing and Copers

This chapter applies the previous lecture to a discussion between Dr. Robertson and a local physical therapist. They examine the concepts and differences between copers and non-copers with ACL industries.