Skiing

Management of ACL Ruptures in Skiers

Clinical Guidelines for the Management and Return to Competition of Professional Alpine Skiers Suffering from Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Rupture

Author: Suegnet Meyer

Introduction

Knee InjuryThe Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is the primary knee stabiliser that prevents anterior laxity of the tibia in relation to the femur and provides rotational knee stability (Negus et al., 2012). In the United States, approximately 200,000 Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructions (ACLR) are performed annually at a cost of $3 billion (Brophy et al., 2009). Devastating evidence estimates up to 10% of professional alpine skiers will end their careers due to ACL ruptures or tears (Pujol et al., 2007).

Aim

This Clinical Guidance is aimed at Physiotherapists, Strength & Conditioning Coaches and Doctors to prevent and manage ACL ruptures during professional downhill, freestyle skiing and ski-cross during off-season. Continue reading

Quadriceps Dysfunction in Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome

Knee PainThere exists a lack of consensus determining the etiology of Quadriceps Dysfunction in Patello Femoral Pain Syndrome (PFPS). It is suggested that multifactorial causes for PFPS exist. For example: Quadriceps muscle mass can be reduced due to Vastus medialis atrophy causing Quadriceps strength deficiency or altered Quadriceps recruitment patterns. Abnormal activation patterns due to deficient neuromuscular imbalance causing Vastus lateralis to contract earlier than Vastus Medialis Oblique resulting in a lateral directed force on the patella and abnormal patella tracking has also been suggested. Thus abnormal activation patterns due to a deficient neuromuscular pattern has been considered. Continue reading