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.

This online executive education program, led by expert faculty from Quinnipiac's School of Business, demystifies the use of profitable blockchain solutions for business leaders. The combination of theory and practice ensures that you will not only grasp the intricacies of blockchain but also apply this knowledge to generate actual business value. .

Recognizing the importance and impact of blockchain in various industries, the Blockchain Master for Executives open enrollment program will assist you with integrating blockchain solutions in business operations. You will also enjoy considerable networking opportunities to connect with and learn from fellow executives and senior level managers leaders from across the state, the region and the country.

You should attend this program if:

You are an executive or senior level leader

You are in a position to leverage resources to implement blockchain initiatives

You are pursuing goals to work smarter, innovate faster, increase trust and enhance compliance.

This online executive education program, led by expert faculty from Quinnipiac's School of Business, demystifies the use of profitable blockchain solutions for business leaders. The combination of theory and practice ensures that you will not only grasp the intricacies of blockchain but also apply this knowledge to generate actual business value. .

Recognizing the importance and impact of blockchain in various industries, the Blockchain Master for Executives open enrollment program will assist you with integrating blockchain solutions in business operations. You will also enjoy considerable networking opportunities to connect with and learn from fellow executives and senior level managers leaders from across the state, the region and the country.

You should attend this program if:

You are an executive or senior level leader

You are in a position to leverage resources to implement blockchain initiatives

You are pursuing goals to work smarter, innovate faster, increase trust and enhance compliance.

Introduction to Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapy 

Course Objectives: A review of anatomy, non-invasive evaluation and treatment techniques, and basic toileting skills will be included to improve participant’s understanding of typical pelvic floor functioning. Upon completion of this course, the participant shall be able to: 

1. Review of basic anatomy and functioning of pelvic floor musculature. 

2. Understand and identify at least 3 patient diagnoses impacting pelvic floor functioning in the pediatric population, and which patients are appropriate for pelvic floor physical therapy. 

3. Understand the evaluation and assessment of the pediatric pelvic floor population, as well as development of plan of care. 

4. Understand and identify three treatment interventions to improve pelvic floor function in the pediatric population, including the use of biofeedback to improve continence. 

5. Understand extrinsic and intrinsic factors that can impact bladder and bowel elimination. 

Presenter Biographies: 

Roopa Kulkarni,PT 

Roopa Kulkarni,PT, works at Connecticut Children's Physical Therapy Outpatient Department. She is an accomplished clinician with 10+ years of experience working as a Pediatric Physical Therapist. She specializes in Neuromuscular Diseases and Pediatric Pelvic Floor Therapy. She is a member the Multidisciplinary Neuromuscular Clinic, MDA Care Center. 

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. 

Guided by Quinnipiac's expert faculty, this in-person executive education program provides healthcare leaders with essential skills in healthcare administration and will prepare you to strategically address organizational and managerial responsibilities. Through hands-on learning, you will identify a professional problem of practice and create an improvement action plan that will positively impact your organization.

The Strategic Healthcare Management open enrollment executive education program blends theory and practice to improve your ability to supervise talent and leverage resources. You will also enjoy considerable networking opportunities to connect with and learn from fellow strategic healthcare leaders from across the state, the region and the country. 

Guided by Quinnipiac's expert faculty, this in-person executive education program provides healthcare leaders with essential skills in healthcare administration and will prepare you to strategically address organizational and managerial responsibilities. Through hands-on learning, you will identify a professional problem of practice and create an improvement action plan that will positively impact your organization.

The Strategic Healthcare Management open enrollment executive education program blends theory and practice to improve your ability to supervise talent and leverage resources. You will also enjoy considerable networking opportunities to connect with and learn from fellow strategic healthcare leaders from across the state, the region and the country.