Return to Full Performance After ACL Reconstruction
Rehabilitation (Recorded Webinar)
Presented by Phil Plisky and Kyle Matsel
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Nonfinancial: Phil Plisky has no competing nonfinancial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
Financial: Kyle Matsel receives compensation from MedBridge for this course. He is also a University of Evansville employee and a Functional Movement Systems instructor. There is no financial interest beyond that.
Nonfinancial: Kyle Matsel has no competing nonfinancial interests or relationships with regard to the content presented in this course.
This course is a recording of a previously hosted live webinar event. Polling and question submission features are not available for this recording. Format and structure may differ from standard MedBridge courses.
While rehabilitation professionals may understand how to address impairments early after ACL reconstruction, frequently it is challenging to integrate evidence-based practices for return to high-level function and sport, including addressing known risk factors. Higher-level exercise progressions that address speed, power, and agility are common in the later stages of rehabilitation, but many rehabilitation professionals do not fully integrate proper fundamental movement correction into this training. Better fundamental movement training foundation, combined with power, speed, and agility, provides for higher-level performance, more efficient rehabilitation, and better return-to-sport outcomes.
The goal of this course is to equip the rehabilitation professional with research-based examination techniques and interventions for the later stages of ACL reconstruction rehabilitation. Additionally, the clinician will be able to identify and mitigate known risk factors for injury as part of the rehabilitation process.
Meet your instructors
Phil Plisky
Dr. Phil Plisky is a professor in the University of Evansville’s Doctor of Physical Therapy and PhD in Health Professions Education programs. He is the host of the MedBridge Rehab and Performance Lab podcast and founder of the Coaches Club at
Kyle Matsel
Dr. Matsel is a tenured associate professor at the University of Evansville, where he teaches in the musculoskeletal content areas of the Doctor of Physical Therapy curriculum. He received his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of Evansville in 2011 and his PhD in rehabilitation sciences from the University…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Course Introduction and Systemizing the Rehabilitation Process
Once a patient has progressed through the early stages of rehabilitation, it becomes essential that the rehabilitation professional have a systematic approach to rehabilitation. Simply completing challenging exercises is not enough to fully rehabilitate the athlete. This chapter will provide an evidence-based system to ensure optimal outcomes after ACL reconstruction.
2. Movement and Balance: Setting the Stage for Performance
While movement and balance exercises are frequently given to patients post ACL reconstruction, it is essential that movement and balance be tested in a manner that ensures the correct patterns are addressed and normalized. This chapter will discuss the research and practical application of movement and balance testing, with an emphasis on a neurodevelopmental perspective.
3. Advanced Strength Training
In order to fully return the athlete to sport, advanced strength and conditioning systems are necessary. This chapter will discuss these systems and programs and apply them to in-clinic care of the athlete.
4. Early Plyometrics and Return to Running
This chapter will discuss return-to-running criteria, as well as monitoring strategies to promote pain-free running. Additionally, the research and practical application of initial plyometric assessment and training will be discussed.
5. Advanced Plyometrics, Agility, and Injury Prevention
Having a comprehensive plyometrics training system allows the athlete the confidence and physical qualities to return to performing at their highest level. This chapter describes the research on plyometric training and other programs designed to reduce the rate of injury.
6. Return to Sport and Discharge
Having a rigorous, systematic return-to-sport testing process throughout the continuum of rehab that culminates in passing these tests is needed to help stem the tide of reinjury after ACL reconstruction. This chapter describes the essential components of high-quality return-to-sport and discharge testing.
7. Question and Answer Session
In this section, the authors take questions from the audience to further clarify the material presented.
