Current rehabilitation and return to sport practices after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a survey of physical therapists

The aim of this study was to investigate physiotherapists' practices of rehabilitation before and after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) and return to sport process and to determine the differences between current best evidence. A survey consisted of 28 questions about practices and decision-making during ACL-R rehabilitation and return-to-sport and 4 questions about participant's background was developed. Physiotherapists working in Türkiye who are seeing/has seen ACL-R patient(s) were included to the study. Physiotherapists whose mother tongue was not Turkish were excluded from the study. Data was collected online via Google Forms. The survey was distributed via social media by researchers. Data were analysed with frequency distribution (%) and Pearson' Chi-squared square test. The responses of 264 physiotherapists'(n= 61 has graduate degree), (n=74, 2-5 years; n=44, 5-10 years; n=45 >10 yıl experience) were evaluated. The most frequent time frame to allow return-to-run was 3-4 months (37%). The most frequent time frame to allow return-to-sport was 6-9 months (40.2%). Physiotherapists with bachelor degree allowing return-to-sport earlier (p=0.001) and using less patient-reported outcome measures (p=0.01) compared to physiotherapists with graduate degree. Physiotherapists have more than 5 years experience evaluating psychological readiness less (p=0.001) and allowing return-to-sport earlier compared to physiotherapists have 5 or less years experience. The most common barrier against in evidence-based practices was inadequate equipment (59.7%). In conclusion, practices of Turkish physiotherapists after ACL-R and return to sport are not fully consistent with the current best evidence. Also year of experience and education degree might affect return-to-sport evaluations and decisions. Improving the evidence-based knowledge of physiotherapists and providing equipment support may benefit in ensuring safer return-to-sport ratios for patients after ACL-R.