PT Pro Talk Ep 170 – ACL Injury Management: What Every Clinician Should Know with Mick Hughes
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Apr 17, 2025 
Mick Hughes, co-founder of Learn.Physio and an expert in sports physiotherapy, shares valuable insights into ACL injury management. He discusses the critical decision-making processes between surgical and non-surgical options, stressing effective prehabilitation strategies. Mick reveals that many athletes can return to their pre-injury levels without surgery, highlighting innovative bracing protocols and rehabilitation tactics. He also emphasizes the importance of psychological assessments and fosters a digital presence to improve patient outcomes in physiotherapy.
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Rehabilitation as Vital ACL Option
- Surgery is not the only option for ACL injuries; rehabilitation can often be effective.
- About 50% of people return to pre-injury sport levels without surgery, highlighting rehab as a valid pathway.
Screen ACL Copers with Functional Tests
- Use patient-reported outcomes and single leg hop tests to assess potential copers versus non-copers.
- Let rehab progress guide surgery decisions rather than fixed classification systems.
Value of Pre-Operative Rehab
- Pre-operative rehabilitation improves post-op outcomes and knee condition.
- Advise patients that pre-op rehab is valuable even if surgery is inevitable.