The Student​ Physical Therapist
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Insider Access
    • About Insider Access
  • Online Courses
    • Hooper's Knee
    • Physical Therapist Entrepreneur Course
    • Physical Therapist Consultant Course
    • Orthopedic Management of the Cervical Spine
    • Return to Sport Essentials Course
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Business Minded Sports Physio Podcast
    • Day in the Life of a Sports PT
    • Residency Corner
    • Special Tests >
      • Cervical Spine >
        • Alar Ligament Test
        • Bakody's Sign
        • Cervical Distraction Test
        • Cervical Rotation Lateral Flexion Test
        • Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT)
        • Deep Neck Flexor Endurance Test
        • Posterior-Anterior Segmental Mobility
        • Segmental Mobility
        • Sharp-Purser Test
        • Spurling's Maneuver
        • Transverse Ligament Test
        • ULNT - Median
        • ULNT - Radial
        • ULNT - Ulnar
        • Vertebral Artery Test
      • Thoracic Spine >
        • Adam's Forward Bend Test
        • Passive Neck Flexion Test
        • Thoracic Compression Test
        • Thoracic Distraction Test
        • Thoracic Foraminal Closure Test
      • Lumbar Spine/Sacroiliac Joint >
        • Active Sit-Up Test
        • Alternate Gillet Test
        • Crossed Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Extensor Endurance Test
        • FABER Test
        • Fortin's Sign
        • Gaenslen Test
        • Gillet Test
        • Gower's Sign
        • Lumbar Quadrant Test
        • POSH Test
        • Posteroanterior Mobility
        • Prone Knee Bend Test
        • Prone Instability Test
        • Resisted Abduction Test
        • Sacral Clearing Test
        • Seated Forward Flexion Test
        • SIJ Compression/Distraction Test
        • Slump Test
        • Sphinx Test
        • Spine Rotators & Multifidus Test
        • Squish Test
        • Standing Forward Flexion Test
        • Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Supine to Long Sit Test
      • Shoulder >
        • Active Compression Test
        • Anterior Apprehension
        • Biceps Load Test II
        • Drop Arm Sign
        • External Rotation Lag Sign
        • Hawkins-Kennedy Impingement Sign
        • Horizontal Adduction Test
        • Internal Rotation Lag Sign
        • Jobe Test
        • Ludington's Test
        • Neer Test
        • Painful Arc Sign
        • Pronated Load Test
        • Resisted Supination External Rotation Test
        • Speed's Test
        • Posterior Apprehension
        • Sulcus Sign
        • Thoracic Outlet Tests >
          • Adson's Test
          • Costoclavicular Brace
          • Hyperabduction Test
          • Roos (EAST)
        • Yergason's Test
      • Elbow >
        • Biceps Squeeze Test
        • Chair Sign
        • Cozen's Test
        • Elbow Extension Test
        • Medial Epicondylalgia Test
        • Mill's Test
        • Moving Valgus Stress Test
        • Push-up Sign
        • Ulnar Nerve Compression Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Wrist/Hand >
        • Allen's Test
        • Carpal Compression Test
        • Finkelstein Test
        • Phalen's Test
        • Reverse Phalen's Test
      • Hip >
        • Craig's Test
        • Dial Test
        • FABER Test
        • FAIR Test
        • Fitzgerald's Test
        • Hip Quadrant Test
        • Hop Test
        • Labral Anterior Impingement Test
        • Labral Posterior Impingement Test
        • Long-Axis Femoral Distraction Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Percussion Test
        • Sign of the Buttock
        • Trendelenburg Test
      • Knee >
        • Anterior Drawer Test
        • Dial Test (Tibial Rotation Test)
        • Joint Line Tenderness
        • Lachman Test
        • McMurray Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Pivot-Shift Test
        • Posterior Drawer Test
        • Posterior Sag Sign
        • Quad Active Test
        • Thessaly Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Foot/Ankle >
        • Anterior Drawer
        • Calf Squeeze Test
        • External Rotation Test
        • Fracture Screening Tests
        • Impingement Sign
        • Navicular Drop Test
        • Squeeze Test
        • Talar Tilt
        • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Test
        • Test for Interdigital Neuroma
        • Windlass Test
Picture

A Coper with Suspected ACL Tear: Tell Him It's Torn OR Not?

9/26/2018

0 Comments

 

"I was confronted with the ethical dilemma, do I tell him his ACL is likely torn or not."

​I was recently working with a 16 year old, active young man who injured his knee while playing rugby 6 days prior. During the initial evaluation, he reported quickly decelerating on the field while pivoting his body. He only had minimal pain, and his swelling was quickly improving with each day following his injury. Additionally, he had a rugby tournament overseas in 2 weeks that he needed to be in good athletic condition to play.
As I continued to the examination, I performed the Lachman's Test, which was positive, as well as a positive Anterior Drawer Test. Despite the positive finding, he denied any buckling, locking, or catching. His clinical examination was negative for meniscal pathology and other ligament insufficiency. At this point, I was confronted with the ethical dilemma: Do I tell him his ACL is likely torn or not? On one hand he was making good progress with rest and gradual return to activity. Would the diagnosis of a torn ACL create thought viruses that would hinder his progress with conservative treatment? On the other hand, if he had a torn ACL, does he potentially have other associated injuries? Segund fractures are present in 75-100% of ACL tears. Lateral meniscus tears occur in 54% of acute ACL injuries. 
Picture

Ethical Decision

As the patient, he had the right to know my clinical findings. I told him his mechanism of injury and clinical presentation are consistent with an ACL tear. Additionally, I educated him and his mother on the treatment options, copers vs. non-copers, risk of future injuries, and risks of surgery. 
The family made the decision to see an orthopedic specialist, who ordered an MRI. The MRI identified a fully torn anterior cruciate ligament and bucket handle tear of his medial meniscus. 

"The MRI identified a fully torn anterior cruciate ligament and bucket handle tear of his medial meniscus." 

The following week, he travelled with his rugby team and played in several matches. Upon his surgeon's recommendation, he would have surgery after the tournament to reconstruct his ACL and repair the meniscal tear. In this case, should surgery have been avoided? Was his ACL surgery really necessary? 

Is ACL Surgery Really Necessary? 

Picture
For many many, a torn ACL was synonymous with surgery. However recently, the optimal management of ACL injuries has been placed under question. Recent research, 'A Randomized Trial of Treatment for Acute Anterior Cruciate Ligament Tears,' identified that ACL reconstructive surgery was NOT superior to conservative management of ACL tears in young active adults. A second study by Meuffels et al, found similar outcomes between surgical and non-surgical groups at 10-year follow. The authors concluded, "we found no statistical difference between the patients treated conservatively or operatively with respect to osteoarthritis or meniscal lesions of the knee, as well as activity level, objective and subjective functional outcome."

If the outcomes are similar, why are surgeons still being performed at an alarming rate? As with most questions in physical therapy, the answer depends on a variety of factors. Clinically, I try to identify if the patient is a 'coper' or a 'non-coper.' Copers are individuals who can function at their desired level despite having a torn ACL. Non-copers are individuals who are unable to function at their prior level following an ACL injury. Copers will demonstrate good quadriceps strength, no buckling or giving way in their knee, and strong, pain free hop tests following conservative rehabilitation. Non-copers will continue to have giving way of their knee, pain that limits function, and subjective reports of decreased quality of life. Regardless, whether someone is a coper or non-coper, it is important to educate them on the pro's and con's of both surgery and rehab. 

Final Thoughts

As research continues to develop, we know at least one thing, the ACL is not vital for stability of the knee. Complications and risks will exist on either side of the equation. Patients can have success with both rehab and surgery. The job of a good physical therapist is to present the best available evidence and guide the patient in deciding which treatment option is MOST appropriate for them.
-Jim Heafner PT, DPT, OCS

Check out TSPTs NEW Knee Course!

Save $10.00 using the promo code: ACLrehab
Picture

Our Insider Access Library is Growing!

Picture
​What you get with Insider Access
 -Over 80 videos including 3 new videos every month
-Residency level education from Board Certified Orthopedic and Sports Physical Therapists
-Advanced Manual Therapy Techniques with details and descriptions from Certified Orthopedic Manual Therapists
-Return to Sport Testing and Suggested Sequencing
-Eclectic approaches to assessment and treatment
-Sport specific assessments for individual sports
References:
1. Frobell RB, Roos EM, Roos HP, Ranstam J, Lohmander LS. A randomized trial of treatment for acute anterior cruciate ligament tears. N Engl J Med2010;363:331-42.
​

2. Meuffels DE, Favejee MM, Vissers MM, Heijboer MP, Reijman M, Verhaar JA. Ten year follow-up study comparing conservative versus operative treatment of anterior cruciate ligament ruptures: a matched-pair analysis of high level athletes. Br J Sports Med2009;43:347-51.
0 Comments



Leave a Reply.

    Picture
    Dr. Brian Schwabe's NEW Book in partner with PaleoHacks!
    Picture
    Learn residency-level content on our
    Insider Access pages
    Picture

    Picture

    We value quality PT education & CEU's.  Click the MedBridge logo below for TSPT savings!


    Archives

    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    August 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    March 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    December 2017
    November 2017
    October 2017
    September 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017
    March 2017
    February 2017
    January 2017
    December 2016
    November 2016
    October 2016
    September 2016
    August 2016
    July 2016
    June 2016
    May 2016
    April 2016
    March 2016
    February 2016
    January 2016
    December 2015
    November 2015
    October 2015
    September 2015
    August 2015
    July 2015
    June 2015
    May 2015
    April 2015
    March 2015
    February 2015
    January 2015
    December 2014
    November 2014
    October 2014
    September 2014
    August 2014
    July 2014
    June 2014
    May 2014
    April 2014
    March 2014
    February 2014
    January 2014
    December 2013
    November 2013
    October 2013
    September 2013
    August 2013
    July 2013
    June 2013
    May 2013
    April 2013
    March 2013
    February 2013
    January 2013
    December 2012
    November 2012
    October 2012
    September 2012
    August 2012

    Categories

    All
    Chest
    Core Muscle
    Elbow
    Foot
    Foot And Ankle
    Hip
    Knee
    Manual Therapy
    Modalities
    Motivation
    Neck
    Neural Tension
    Other
    Research
    Research Article
    Shoulder
    Sij
    Spine
    Sports
    Therapeutic Exercise


    RSS Feed

Home

Contact Us

Copyright © The Student Physical Therapist LLC 2022
Photos used under Creative Commons from dsearls, moo.review, liverpoolhls, matturick, lwpkommunikacio, Lake Clark NPS, Tobyotter, Charly Meunier, Vincent Albanese, CNBP, Zepfanman.com, aotaro, sportEX journals, jillccarlson, Yann07, US Department of Education, osseous, TheeErin, ajy591, Mark P / PIX41, Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library, UofT, teresatrimm, donnierayjones, NNelumba, Tobyotter, Frédéric de Villamil, Jordanhill School D&T Dept, danabooo, cadillacjr2002, ingridkreuz, RDECOM, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet, Wonderlane, hectorir, Jeffrey, Chris Hunkeler, quillons, COD Newsroom, Alan Cleaver, CCFoodTravel.com, liverpoolhls, Dr.Farouk, Jeffrey, Sten Dueland, Håkan Dahlström, PPGWings, Parker Michael Knight, MLazarevski, dno1967b, Fimb, Jim Larrison, infomatique, U.S. Naval Forces Central Command/U.S. Fifth Fleet, Idhren, iwona_kellie, AnEternalGoldenBraid, quinn.anya, jlk.1, Villainette, mlsaero, roelandpype, Defence Images, CiscoANZ, istolethetv, Our Dream Photography (Personal), BraNewbs, Meg Stewart, phalinn, akeg, hectorir, philcampbell, MilitaryHealth, akeg, Army Medicine, Shar Ka, Subconsci Productions, Eric Kilby, Anonymous9000, quinn.anya, COD Newsroom, UMN Department of Plant Pathology, familymwr, all of olive., Keith Allison, JD Hancock, Synergy by Jasmine, roger_mommaerts, John-Morgan, a.drian, Instant Vantage, Beshef, markhillary, Vegar S Hansen Photography, DEC International, kaolin fire, smith_cl9, cinnamon_girl, jillccarlson, Extra Ketchup, brain_blogger, heyjoewhereyougoinwiththatguninyourhand, tv42, COMSALUD, Nicholas_T, Ano Lobb. @healthyrx, kaibara87, mlinksva, smbuckley23, sappsnap, Menage a Moi, brain_blogger, MaloMalverde, One Way Stock, ethet., ~ggvic~, MAClarke21, Keith Allison, pictures of money, mendolus shank, HotlantaVoyeur, Mr. T in DC, abbamouse, HystericalMark, Travis Hornung, jenny downing, shock264, Peter Mooney, Futurilla, sfslim, Emily Carlin, PFX Photo, ITU Pictures, TP studio, akunamatata, Magdalena Roeseler, osseous, smith_cl9, warrenski, Sh4rp_i, mrbichel, Renaud Camus, sicamp, GreenFlames09, infomatique, mark i geo, Volker Davids, TerryJohnston, Daniela Vladimirova, CJS*64, VarsityLife, Quentin Verwaerde, Annie Mole, US Army Africa, RLHyde, openBIT e. V., Vox Efx, fabola, Gerry Dincher, mlsaero, Infomastern, N4n0, Wonderlane, TheeErin, Nanagyei, gogogadgetscott, Pulmonary Pathology, PELeCON, Elvert Barnes, @RunRockPrincess, woodleywonderworks, Asbestos Bill, Joelk75, otisarchives4, jillccarlson, sportEX journals, The Wandering Angel, perpetualplum, V31S70, colecamp, jpalinsad360, JulyYu, Andres Rueda, Whenleavesfall, melloveschallah, Pink Sherbet Photography, canonim, BrianHenry ////|//, Leonard John Matthews, mikecogh, Zepfanman.com, Kevin M. Gill, Claire L. Evans, afunkydamsel, The Official CTBTO Photostream, cyOFdevelin fame, dok1, Pam loves pie, hoshi7, opensourceway
  • Home
  • About Us
  • Insider Access
    • About Insider Access
  • Online Courses
    • Hooper's Knee
    • Physical Therapist Entrepreneur Course
    • Physical Therapist Consultant Course
    • Orthopedic Management of the Cervical Spine
    • Return to Sport Essentials Course
  • Resources
    • Newsletter
    • Business Minded Sports Physio Podcast
    • Day in the Life of a Sports PT
    • Residency Corner
    • Special Tests >
      • Cervical Spine >
        • Alar Ligament Test
        • Bakody's Sign
        • Cervical Distraction Test
        • Cervical Rotation Lateral Flexion Test
        • Craniocervical Flexion Test (CCFT)
        • Deep Neck Flexor Endurance Test
        • Posterior-Anterior Segmental Mobility
        • Segmental Mobility
        • Sharp-Purser Test
        • Spurling's Maneuver
        • Transverse Ligament Test
        • ULNT - Median
        • ULNT - Radial
        • ULNT - Ulnar
        • Vertebral Artery Test
      • Thoracic Spine >
        • Adam's Forward Bend Test
        • Passive Neck Flexion Test
        • Thoracic Compression Test
        • Thoracic Distraction Test
        • Thoracic Foraminal Closure Test
      • Lumbar Spine/Sacroiliac Joint >
        • Active Sit-Up Test
        • Alternate Gillet Test
        • Crossed Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Extensor Endurance Test
        • FABER Test
        • Fortin's Sign
        • Gaenslen Test
        • Gillet Test
        • Gower's Sign
        • Lumbar Quadrant Test
        • POSH Test
        • Posteroanterior Mobility
        • Prone Knee Bend Test
        • Prone Instability Test
        • Resisted Abduction Test
        • Sacral Clearing Test
        • Seated Forward Flexion Test
        • SIJ Compression/Distraction Test
        • Slump Test
        • Sphinx Test
        • Spine Rotators & Multifidus Test
        • Squish Test
        • Standing Forward Flexion Test
        • Straight Leg Raise Test
        • Supine to Long Sit Test
      • Shoulder >
        • Active Compression Test
        • Anterior Apprehension
        • Biceps Load Test II
        • Drop Arm Sign
        • External Rotation Lag Sign
        • Hawkins-Kennedy Impingement Sign
        • Horizontal Adduction Test
        • Internal Rotation Lag Sign
        • Jobe Test
        • Ludington's Test
        • Neer Test
        • Painful Arc Sign
        • Pronated Load Test
        • Resisted Supination External Rotation Test
        • Speed's Test
        • Posterior Apprehension
        • Sulcus Sign
        • Thoracic Outlet Tests >
          • Adson's Test
          • Costoclavicular Brace
          • Hyperabduction Test
          • Roos (EAST)
        • Yergason's Test
      • Elbow >
        • Biceps Squeeze Test
        • Chair Sign
        • Cozen's Test
        • Elbow Extension Test
        • Medial Epicondylalgia Test
        • Mill's Test
        • Moving Valgus Stress Test
        • Push-up Sign
        • Ulnar Nerve Compression Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Wrist/Hand >
        • Allen's Test
        • Carpal Compression Test
        • Finkelstein Test
        • Phalen's Test
        • Reverse Phalen's Test
      • Hip >
        • Craig's Test
        • Dial Test
        • FABER Test
        • FAIR Test
        • Fitzgerald's Test
        • Hip Quadrant Test
        • Hop Test
        • Labral Anterior Impingement Test
        • Labral Posterior Impingement Test
        • Long-Axis Femoral Distraction Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Percussion Test
        • Sign of the Buttock
        • Trendelenburg Test
      • Knee >
        • Anterior Drawer Test
        • Dial Test (Tibial Rotation Test)
        • Joint Line Tenderness
        • Lachman Test
        • McMurray Test
        • Noble Compression Test
        • Pivot-Shift Test
        • Posterior Drawer Test
        • Posterior Sag Sign
        • Quad Active Test
        • Thessaly Test
        • Valgus Stress Test
        • Varus Stress Test
      • Foot/Ankle >
        • Anterior Drawer
        • Calf Squeeze Test
        • External Rotation Test
        • Fracture Screening Tests
        • Impingement Sign
        • Navicular Drop Test
        • Squeeze Test
        • Talar Tilt
        • Tarsal Tunnel Syndrome Test
        • Test for Interdigital Neuroma
        • Windlass Test