Prehabilitation: The Void in the Management of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries—A Clinical Review

Abstract

The rehabilitation of patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction requires symmetry in bilateral quadriceps strength and adequate proprioception capabilities prior to return to preoperative level of activity or sport. This is the limiting factor and can delay the time that patients can return to play. There is little literature on pre-operative physiotherapy or prehabilitation of patient with ACL injury. This paper discusses the anatomy, biomechanics, surgical decision making, and the current knowledge of preoperative training or “prehabilitation” in patients awaiting ACL reconstruction.