Editorial Commentary: Postoperative Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Protocols Are Like Snowflakes; No 2 Are Alike.

Abstract

Postoperative rehabilitation after arthroscopic and related surgery should follow guidelines that emphasize time (tissue healing) and performance (motion and strength) milestones. These guidelines are often missing in traditional protocols, which assume that all patients arrive in the same condition at the same point in time. The real challenge for the allied health professional will be demonstrating that milestone-based protocols that use the best available evidence are effective, and as a start, we need to eliminate treatments proven ineffective.