Setting the Stage for Success: An Evidenced-Based Approach to Rehabilitation for Adolescents during the Acute Phase after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Lab Instruction
Course Objectives: Upon completion of this course, the participant shall be able to:
1. Understand the general surgical interventions of ACLR, graft selection, and possible impacts on recovery/rehabilitation in the first 6-8 weeks.
2. Identify warning signs and symptoms that may hinder regaining knee range of motion.
3. Describe arthrogenic muscle inhibition learn how to apply techniques to combat its effects on rehabilitation.
4. Establish clinical decision-making skills in exercise type and prescription.
5. Identify and apply modalities to support rehabilitation during acute phase, including blood flow restriction training (BFRT) and neuromuscular electrical stimulation (NMES).
6. Educate patients and families on expectations including goal development.
7. Explain recommendations for optimization of home exercise program design and compliance.
Presenter Biographies:
Adam Weaver, PT, DPT
Adam Weaver has over 17 years of experience in physical therapy in orthopedic and sports medicine. He has a wide variety of experience with extensive training in manual therapy, dry needling, and strength and conditioning. Originally from Maryland, he is currently a senior physical therapist at Connecticut Children’s and splits his time as a sports physical therapist and research coordinator for Connecticut Children’s Orthopedics, Sports Medicine and Physical Therapy. Adam has numerous national presenations, publications and has authored text books pertaining to quadriceps recovery, blood flow restriction training, and outcomes after ACL Reconstruction. He is an APTA member, PRiSM (Pediatric Research in Sports Medicine Society) and part of the ARROW (ACL Reconstruction Rehabiliation Outcomes Workgroup) leadership team.
Allison Crepeau, MD Dr.
Allison Crepeau is orthopedic surgeon in the Division of Orthopedics and Sports Medicine at Connecticut Children’s and assistant professor in the Department of Orthopaedic Surgery at UConn Health. She is dual fellowship trained in pediatric orthopaedics and orthopaedic sports medicine. Dr. Crepeau played Division I lacrosse in college but grew up as a dancer and has a special interest in dance medicine as well as care of the female athlete. Other clinical interests include surgical management of sports injuries of the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle; advanced cartilage reconstruction procedures; and ACL reconstruction of the very young athlete through young adult. She worked at the Children’s Hospital of the King’s Daughters in Norfolk, VA for 7 years before returning home to New England to join Connecticut Children’s.
William Marrone PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
Billy graduated from the University of Connecticut DPT program in 2017. Upon graduation, Billy completed the Hospital for Special Surgery Sports Physical Therapy Residency Program and has been board-certified by the American Physical Therapy Association in Sports since 2019. Billy worked for 6 years at HSS as a sports physical therapist and residency faculty member prior to transitioning to Connecticut Children’s. He continues to actively teach in the HSS/Brooklyn Nets Sports Fellowship Program. He has interests in ACL and knee cartilage restoration and the integration of technology with return to sport testing and movement analysis. Billy has lectured and published on knee rehabilitation and return to sport decision-making at the state and national level. He currently works as a sports physical therapist at Connecticut Children’s.
Rafael B. Ozdemirer, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, OMT, BRC
Rafael B. Ozdemirer is a physical therapist with extensive experience in sports physical therapy and orthopedic manual therapy. He earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy from the University of Hartford. Post professionally, he pursued a Manual Therapy Fellowship at Regis University in Colorado, further honing his expertise. Currently, Rafael is a member of the team at Connecticut Children’s - Sports Physical Therapy in Farmington, CT. At Connecticut Children’s he works with a diverse group of patients, ranging from pediatric to adult athletes, and treats patients participating in various sports with a variety of diagnosis, including post-operative conditions such as ACL reconstruction. Rafael’s commitment to continued learning and professional development is driven by his passion for helping athletes return to their previous athletic status, if not better.
George Tsakos, PT, DPT
George Tsakos, DPT, is a physical therapist specializing in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation. He earned his Doctor of Physical Therapy degree from the University of New England in 2015 and completed his residency at the Institute of Orthopedic Manual Therapy in Boston in 2021. Dr. Tsakos holds certifications in dry needling and temporomandibular joint rehabilitation. He has extensive experience in post-surgical knee rehabilitation, including ACL surgery. Additionally, he is recognized for his expertise in jaw rehabilitation, having delivered presentations to local dentists and orthodontists on the subject.