Date of Award

5-2020

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physician Assistant Studies (MPAS)

Department

Physician Assistant Studies

First Advisor

Russ Kauffman

Keywords

Anterior Cruciate Ligament, ACL, graft, allograft, hamstring, patellar tendon, bridge enhanced ACL repair, athletes, rupture, reinjury, young

Abstract

The anterior cruciate ligament tear is a standard surgical injury seen with young athletes competing at elite, amateur, and recreational capacities. The purpose of this literature review is to determine the rehabilitation guidelines and risks associated with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, as well as determining the role of rehabilitation in graft rupture. This literature review also serves to determine if graft choice for surgical repair plays a role in an increased risk of rupture or reinjury. This literature review used various online databases, including Dynamed, Cochran, and Pubmed, with the utilization of MeSH terms listed below in “keywords” in order to identify applicable data. A systematic review of the literature was then completed. Data showed that athletes near or younger than the age of 25 were at a higher risk of graft rupture. The patellar tendon graft shows a decreased risk of rupture and instability when compared to hamstring grafts. Allografts were found to have an increased risk of rupture in young athletes when compared to hamstring grafts and should not be considered for young athletes. Failure to complete a rehabilitation program was also determined to play a role in graft rupture. Keywords:

Share

COinS