Learning Objectives:

• Understand core data concepts including terminology, as well as data types, sources, and structures
• Recognize the importance of data in decision-making
• Read and interpret data
• Develop a data literate mindset
• Communicate data effectively
• Apply data literacy skills to real-world scenarios

Course Description
Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries affect more than 200,000 individuals in the United States each year, and the vast majority of these individuals will undergo anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). In the adolescent population, approximately 30% of individuals will suffer a second ACL injury. Current evidence suggests that recovery of symmetrical strength is not typically achieved and has been linked to altered biomechanics, osteoarthritis, and increased risk of re-injury. The immediate phase post-ACLR is a critical, yet often overlooked timeframe of the rehabilitation process. Clinicians should strive for appropriate range of motion, swelling control, and restoration of quadriceps activation. When these objectives are not met, the stage is set for suboptimal recovery and increased risk of future complications. This course will provide an evidence-based approach to discuss and prioritize how to create a foundation to utilize during the early months after ACLR.
 

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 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.
 

Itinerary:
5:00 - 5:15 Introduction: Epidemiology and Overview of ACL Outcomes and Rehab Process by Adam Weaver, PT, DPT
5:15 – 5:45 Surgical Intervention: Graft Selection, Pediatric/Adolescent Specific Procedures and Concomitant Procedures by Allison Crepeau, MD
5:45 – 6:00 Q & A with Adam Weaver, PT, DPT and Allison Crepeau, MD
6:00- 6:15 Normal and Abnormal Progression of Acute Phase of ACLR by Billy Marrone, PT, DPT, SCS, CSCS
6:15 -6:30 Therapeutic Exercise during the Acute Phase by Mike Velasquez, PT, DPT, CSCS, CF-L3, USAW-L2
6:30 – 6:50 Lab for Therapeutic Exercise
6:50- 7:10 Utilization of Blood Flow Restriction Training (BFRT) and Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation in the Acute Management of ACLR by Rafael Ozdemirer, PT, DPT, FAAOMPT, CMPT
7:10-7:30 Neuromuscular Electrical Stimulation Demonstration
7:30 -8:00 Q & A, Panel Discussion

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 presentations, 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 Rehabilitation 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.
 

Mike Velasquez, PT, DPT, CSCS, CF-L3, USAW-L2 

Mike Velasquez is a Doctor of Physical Therapy with a growing specialization in sports and orthopedic rehabilitation. He graduated from the University of Connecticut’s DPT program in 2019 and currently works as a sports physical therapist at Connecticut Children’s. He is actively accumulating sideline coverage hours in pursuit of board certification as a Sports Clinical Specialist (SCS) through the American Physical Therapy Association. Mike holds certifications as a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), CrossFit Level 3 Trainer (CF-L3), and USA Weightlifting Level 2 Coach (USAW-L2), bringing a performance-driven approach to
rehabilitation. His clinical interests include ACL rehabilitation, return-to-sport testing, and injury prevention programming for youth and high school athletes.
 

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.

Course Objectives:

1. Review of basic anatomy and functioning of pelvic floor musculature 
2. Understand and identify additional patient factors that can impact pelvic floor functioning in the pediatric population
3. Understand how to adapt treatment sessions and plans of care to accommodate for additional intrinsic and extrinsic factors

Speaker Bios:

Annmarie Charno, PT, DPT
Annmarie is a Physical Therapist in Fairfield County, CT. She is a graduate of Ithaca College, B.S. in Clinical Health Studies (2013) and Doctorate of Physical Therapy (DPT) (2015). Annmarie works with both developmental pediatric and sports medicine/orthopedic patients. She completed her Pelvic Floor Level 1 training with Herman and Wallace in 2023 and has been working with patients with bowel/bladder dysfunction since then. 

Kimberly King, PT, MPT 

Kim is an outpatient physical therapist at Connecticut Children’s since 2003. She has interests in aquatics and has co-established the Pediatric Pelvic Floor Program at Connecticut Children’s in January 2017. Kimberly has participated in advanced training in pediatric incontinence and functional gastrointestinal disorders and has had the opportunity to treat patients with bowel and bladder dysfunction for the past 7 years. She is passionate about improving patients function and outcomes related to continence both urinary and bowel and overall quality of life. Kimberly is also a co-investigator in a research study currently active at Connecticut Children’s related to anal rectal manometry in children with anxiety and outcomes with pelvic floor physical therapy including biofeedback.