Provided by Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery and Center for Continuing and Outreach Education at Rutgers Biomedical and Health Sciences in collaboration with University Orthopaedic Associates.

Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is one of the most devastating and frequent injuries of the knee.¹ Because the function of the ACL is to control deceleration and rotation of the knee, it is frequently injured in sports without contact or direct trauma². Surgical reconstruction is the current standard of care for treatment of ACL injuries in the active population. Knee injuries account for 60% of high school sport-related surgeries6 and it is estimated that over 1 billion dollars a year are spent on ACL surgeries in the United States.⁷ Conservative treatment and primary repair has shown poor outcomes with >60% of these cases failing. Consequently, surgeons have come up with many alternate reconstructive options.³ Reconstructive techniques have not been without their own problems as well. Graft failures, osteoarthritis, loss of motion, meniscal lesions, chondral defects, and failure to return to sporting activity, are all very real issues facing the ACL community today.⁵

The ACL has been the focus of many biomechanical/anatomical studies and is among the most frequently studied structures of the human musculoskeletal system over the past decade.³ New grafting techniques, tissue engineering, and regenerative medicine have all developed over the past decade and offer options for reconstruction/repair⁴. Clinicians have extensively studied predisposing variables, and worked on ways to prevent ACL injury from occurring. There appears to be an increased incidence of non-contact injury between male and female athletes which brings the question of genetics, hormones, and neuromuscular strength into the discussion. The extensive literature base is frequently contradictory and leaves clinicians and practitioners wondering what are the best routes of care for their ACL injured patients.

1. Hewett TE. Current concepts for injury prevention in athletes after ACL reconstruction. AJSM 2013; 41:216-224
2. Levine JW. Clinically relevant injury patterns after an ACL injury provide insight into injury mechanisms. AJSM 2013;41:385-395
3. Kiapour AM. Basic science of anterior cruciate ligament injury and repair. BJR 2014;3(2):20-31
4. Czuppon S. Variables associated with return to sports following ACL reconstruction: systematic review. BJSM 2014;48:356-364
5. Kim HS. Current Trends in ACL reconstruction. KSRR 2013:25(4):165-173
6. Joseph AM. A multisport epidemiologic comparison of anterior cruciate ligament injuries in high school athletics. JAT 2013;48(6):810-817
7. Risberg MA. A systematic review of the evidence for ACL rehabilitation; how much and what type? Phy Ther Sport 2004;5(3):125-145

The purpose of this activity will be to examine the major issues associated with ACL injury and care. Specialists in the field will provide a comprehensive review the existing body of research with the aim of helping clinicians better understand ACL injury, treatment and rehabilitation options for their ACL patients.

Please complete the registration form on the right. Once completed, you will be redirected to the method of payment, Pay Pal. You will receive a confirmation email with your receipt.

There will be a minimal, non-refundable, tuition fee of $20 assessed which must be paid at the time of registration. Course registration includes continental breakfast, refreshment break, lunch, continuing education credits, and course materials.

In order to meet the learning objectives and receive continuing education credits, participants are expected to sign in at the registration desk, attend the educational program, and complete the credit request and evaluation forms at the conclusion of the activity. Athletic Trainers are required to complete the activity post-test as well.

A letter certifying attendance and credit verification will be mailed to participants within 4 weeks.

Athletic trainers will be provided with their certificate of attendance/CEUs upon receipt of their completed evaluation and post-test.

This activity is designed for primary care sports medicine physicians, athletic trainers, physician assistants, physical therapists, and other allied healthcare professionals involved in or have an interest in ACL injury.

Upon completion of this program, attendees should be better able to:

• Recognize common risk factors associated with ACL injury.
• Describe common injury mechanisms of ACL injury.
• Review various treatment and graft options for the injured ACL patient.
• Describe surgical concerns for the ACL injured patient.
• Discuss potential options for future ACL reconstruction.
• List the goals, criteria and benchmarks for ACL rehabilitation and progression.
• Identify factors that may cause re-injury of a reconstructed ACL, or may cause injury to the contralateral knee.
• Describe criteria that can be utilized to improve return to play decisions.
• Describe the components of a comprehensive ACL prevention program.

Jeffrey R. Bechler, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon; Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Charles J. Gatt, Jr., MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon; Associate Professor and Chair, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Timothy M. Hosea, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon; Clinical Associate Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Eric Nussbaum, MEd, ATC, LAT, Athletic Trainer

Jessica Spivey, MPT, CKTP, Physical Therapist

Blake Swan, CSCS, TSAC-F, FMS, CPT, PHB, Sports Performance Coordinator

Kenneth G. Swan, MD, Orthopaedic Surgeon; Clinical Assistant Professor of Orthopaedic Surgery, Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School

Eric Nussbaum, MEd, ATC, LAT

Charles J. Gatt, Jr., MD
Kenneth G. Swan, MD
Eric Nussbaum, MEd, ATC, LAT

Physicians:

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, is accredited by the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education to provide continuing medical education for physicians.

Rutgers, The State University of New Jersey, designates this live activity for a maximum of 4.25 AMA PRA Category I Credits™. Physicians should claim only the credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity.

Certified Athletic Trainers:

University Orthopaedic Associates, LLC is recognized by the Board of Certification, Inc. to offer continuing education for Certified Athletic Trainers. This program has been approved for a maximum 4.25 hours of EBP Category continuing education. Certified Athletic Trainers are responsible for claiming only those hours actually spent participating in the continuing education activity.

Physician assistants, nurse practitioners, and nurses may participate in this educational activity and earn a letter of attendance as AAPA, AANP, and ANCC accept AMA PRA Category 1 Credits™ through their reciprocity agreements.

All individuals who affect the content of continuing education activities are required to disclose to the audience any real or apparent conflict of interests related to the activity. The activity faculty is further required to disclose discussion of off-label/investigational uses in their presentations. These disclosures will be made to the audience at the time of the activity.

For additional program information, questions or concerns, or if you require special arrangements to attend this activity, please contact Eric Nussbaum at ericn@uognj.com or 908-300-5833. 

Rutgers and University Orthopaedic Associates reserve the right to modify the activity content, faculty and activities, and reserve the right to cancel the activity if necessary. If the activity is cancelled, liability is limited to the registration fee.