Lesson 1Interpretation and clinical reasoning: integrating findings to plan prehab, immediate priorities, and referralsThis section shows how to put together patient stories and test results into a clear list of issues, set quick priorities, pick prehab focus, and know when to send urgently to the bone doctor or clinic specialists.
Formulating a prioritized problem listLinking findings to tissue irritabilitySetting early functional and pain goalsDeciding on prehabilitation focus areasCriteria for urgent orthopedic referralCommunicating the plan to the athleteLesson 2Subjective history: mechanism, onset, prior injuries, sports demands, locking/instability, pain pattern, swelling timeline, footwear and playing surfaceThis section covers taking a focused patient history for fresh ACL injury, looking at how it happened, when it started, past knocks, sport needs, wobbling, pain and swelling patterns, shoes, and pitch conditions to shape risk and rehab plans.
Clarifying injury mechanism and onsetPrevious knee injuries and surgeriesSport, position, and seasonal demandsInstability, locking, and giving-way historyPain location, intensity, and irritabilitySwelling onset, footwear, and surface detailsLesson 3Range of motion and joint mobility testing: active/passive knee flexion-extension, hamstring/quad length tests, patellofemoral mobilityThis section explains checking active and passive knee bend and stretch, kneecap movement, and muscle length tests, taking care with soreness and safety, to spot movement limits and pick early hands-on therapy and exercises.
Active and passive knee flexion testingActive and passive knee extension testingHamstring length and neural tension testsQuadriceps length and prone knee bendPatellofemoral glide and tilt assessmentDocumenting motion loss and end-feelLesson 4Strength and muscle activation assessment: isometric quad/hamstring testing, single-leg rise, calf and hip strength screenThis section covers hands-on ways to check thigh, hamstring, calf, and hip power after fresh ACL injury, stressing safe steady holds, side-to-side balance, muscle kick-start issues, and using results for early weight-building and safety plans.
Safe isometric quadriceps testingHamstring strength and co-contractionSingle-leg rise and endurance measuresHip abductor and external rotator screenCalf strength and heel-rise assessmentIdentifying arthrogenic muscle inhibitionLesson 5Objective inspection and palpation: swelling quantification, joint effusion tests, wound/incision check, gait and limb alignment observationsThis section focuses on thorough look and feel of the hurt leg, grading swelling, fluid tests, wound checks, and watching walk and leg position to catch problems and guide safety wraps and presses.
Visual inspection and swelling gradingPatellar tap and sweep tests for effusionPalpation of joint line and periarticular tissuesAssessment of surgical wounds or incisionsGait pattern and weight-bearing toleranceStatic limb alignment and posture reviewLesson 6Stability and ligament tests: Lachman test, anterior drawer, pivot shift basics, collateral ligament screeningThis section details safe ways to do and read ACL and side ligament tests like Lachman, front pull, and twist basics, minding timing, protection, and blending with scans and full picture.
Principles of acute ligament testingLachman test technique and gradingAnterior drawer test performanceScreening medial and lateral collateralsBasics of pivot shift in acute settingsIntegrating laxity with imaging findingsLesson 7Functional and sport-specific observation: single-leg balance, step-down, squatting symmetry, stair negotiationThis section shows watching sport-like tasks like one-leg stand and squat, to spot dodgy moves, imbalances, and patterns that guide weight handling, nerve-muscle control, and early rehab goals.
Single-leg balance and postural controlStep-down mechanics and dynamic valgusSquat depth, symmetry, and weight shiftStair negotiation and gait transitionsSport-specific stance and cutting patternsVideo analysis for movement feedbackLesson 8Outcome measures and baseline patient-reported tools: IKDC, KOOS, Tegner activity scale, visual analog scale for painThis section introduces proven score sheets for ACL injury like IKDC, KOOS, Tegner levels, and pain lines, and how to pick, use, and read them for starting points, tracking, and joint decisions.
Selecting appropriate knee outcome toolsAdministering IKDC and scoring basicsUsing KOOS subscales in acute ACL careTegner activity scale and sport demandsVisual analog and numeric pain scalesTracking change and minimal important differenceLesson 9Red flags and medical screening: vascular compromise, compartment syndrome, infection signs, fracture suspicion, neurovascular deficitsThis section teaches spotting danger signs in fresh knee knocks like blood flow blocks, tight compartments, infection hints, break risks, and nerve-blood issues, with clear paths for quick referrals and action.
Screening for vascular compromiseRecognizing acute compartment syndromeFracture suspicion and Ottawa knee rulesInfection signs after trauma or surgeryNeurovascular deficit assessmentCriteria for emergency referral pathways
