Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rehabilitation for the 10- to 18-Year-Old Adolescent Athlete: Practice Guidelines Based on International Delphi Consensus

Background: There are 2 treatment options for adolescent athletes with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries—rehabilitation alone (nonsurgical treatment) or ACL reconstruction plus rehabilitation. However, there is no clear consensus on how to include strength and neuromuscular training during each phase of Purpose: To develop a practical rehabilitation help provide care this age group using an international Delphi panel. Study Design: Consensus statement. Methods: A 3-round online study was conducted. mix open closed literature-based statements were formulated sent out panel 20 experts. Statements divided into 3 domains as follows: (1) nonsurgical rehabilitation; (2) prehabilitation; (3) postoperative defined 70% agreement between members. Results: Panel members agreed that should consist criterion-based phases, continued injury prevention serving fourth phase. They also reached being different 10- 16-year-olds compared 17- 18-year-olds, need distinguish prepubertal (Tanner stage 1) mid- postpubertal stages 2-5) athletes. The the following topics: educational topics psychological interventions additional consultation orthopaedic surgeon; duration exercises 1 criteria progression from 2; resistance jumping 3; return sports (RTS). most notable differences in recommendations described RTS criteria. Conclusion: Together available evidence, statement provides framework based expert describes practice guideline rehabilitation, which can be used day-to-day practice. This important step toward reducing inconsistencies, improving quality after injuries, closing evidence-practice gap while waiting further studies clarity.