Upping Your Game in ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation (Recorded Webinar)

Presented by Phil Plisky and Kyle Matsel

Upping Your Game in ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation (Recorded Webinar)

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Video Runtime: 57 Minutes; Learning Assessment Time: 9 Minutes

ACL reconstruction rehabilitation seems straightforward, yet it is incredibly complex. With so many impairments to work on, how do you prioritize what to address and when to address it? And then how do you know the patient is ready for the next phase of rehab? How do you do this in an efficient manner under the constraints of insurance? Then, when the time comes, how do you know when your patient is ready to return to sport? This course will merge an evidence-based perspective with real-world practice experience and give you a clear rehabilitation process rather than a rigid protocol to follow. This course will give an evidence-based road map to optimize both rehabilitation and outcomes for patients who have undergone an ACL reconstruction. The course will conclude with clear return-to-sport and discharge criteria to ensure the patient is ready to go back to sport with as many risk factors removed as possible.

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

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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…

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Chapters & learning objectives

Preoperative Phase: Setting Expectations and Managing Impairments in Phases 1 and 2

1. Preoperative Phase: Setting Expectations and Managing Impairments in Phases 1 and 2

This chapter will begin with one of the most important parts of ACL reconstruction rehabilitation—setting patient expectations. Then we will highlight how to prioritize and address the most important impairments in phases 1 and 2 of rehabilitation.

Managing Complex Impairments and Optimizing Complex Movement: Phases 3 and 4

2. Managing Complex Impairments and Optimizing Complex Movement: Phases 3 and 4

It is important for the rehabilitation provider to manage musculoskeletal risk factors that could lead to poor outcomes from a comprehensive perspective. This chapter will help the learner identify and manage complex impairments and limitations that are important to manage in patients rehabilitating from ACL reconstruction.

Skill of Jumping, Return to Activity, and Return-to-Sport Testing

3. Skill of Jumping, Return to Activity, and Return-to-Sport Testing

Since impairments and movement dysfunction have been successfully identified and mitigated, rehabilitation can now focus on the skills of jumping and higher-level athletic activities. The course will conclude with a comprehensive return-to-sport checklist to remove the guesswork and ensure a successful return to sport with risk factors for injury minimized.

Question and Answer Session

4. Question and Answer Session

In this segment, Kyle and Phil will answer your questions from the webinar in a question and answer session.