Physical therapists’ perspectives and clinical practice on assessment,rehabilitation,and return to sport criteria after anterior cruciate ligament injury and reconstruction in Saudi Arabia

Abstract

Background and objectives

To explore the physical therapists’ (PTs) perspectives and clinical practice on assessment, rehabilitation, and return to sports (RTS) criteria and to investigate their associations with gender, level of educational qualification, years of clinical experience, and the number of individuals treated after ACL injury and reconstruction (ACLR) in Saudi Arabia (SA).

Methods

This descriptive cross-sectional study surveyed 206 participants through an online survey covering demographics, ACLR rehabilitation importance, clinical measurements, practice, progression criteria, return to running, and RTS.

Results

Most PTs (84.9%) see an individual post-ACLR for the first time within the first week. About 24.8% of PTs preferred starting open kinetic chain (OKC) exercises one to seven days immediately post-ACLR. The timing of returning to running post-ACLR is variable among participants. Between six to nine months, 39.8% of PTs allowed an individual post-ACLR to RTS. Over 40% of participants did not use patient-reported outcome measures (PROMs) to clear an individual post-ACLR to RTS or evaluate psychological readiness. About 76.2% recommended an ACL injury prevention program at discharge.

Conclusion

Most PTs in SA inconsistently follow evidence-based ACLR rehabilitation practices. Education and training programs are needed to bridge the evidence-to-practice gap in post-ACLR care.