EPISODE · Aug 4, 2026 · 1H 14M
Ep. 108 ACL Rehab: Protocols and Best Practices with Dr. Andy Glidewell
from BackTable MSK · host BackTable Inc.
Time is money, but when it comes to ACL rehabilitation, the calendar alone does not determine readiness for return to play. On this episode of BackTable Bone & Sport, host Dr. Larry Balle is joined by returning guest Dr. Andy Glidewell to discuss modern protocols for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) rehabilitation. They cover the ACL’s role in knee stability, common injury mechanisms, and why moving beyond timeline-based milestones is crucial for optimal recovery. Glidewell emphasizes that while surgery reconstructs the ligament, rehabilitation is what restores true knee function. --- Get the BackTable apphttps://www.backtable.com/app --- Timestamps00:00 - Introduction05:55 - Collaborative ACL Protocols 09:56 - Anatomy Review: The Role of the ACL 14:41 - ACL Rehab Misconceptions19:04 - Rehab Goal Metrics: Time vs. Subjective Measures28:55 - Early Post-Op Priorities36:26 - Tweaking ACL Protocols Based on ACL Reconstruction Graft 42:30 - Use of Orthobiologics in Surgery47:15 - Progressing BFR to ARPE to Hypertrophy in Rehab56:38 - Incorporating Plymometrics and Agility Training in ACL Rehab1:00:19 - The Mental Hurdles in ACL Rehab and Return to Sport01:08:00 - Clinical Pearls in ACL Rehab01:10:20 - Wrap Up --- More about this episodeThe conversation explores early post-operative priorities, the importance of progressive strength and functional testing, and the need for closer collaboration between surgeons and physical therapists. Additional topics discussed include shifting from time-based to subjective and objective criteria for return to sport, and evolving approaches to open-chain knee extension to address persistent quadriceps deficits and reduce anterior knee pain. --- ResourcesDr. Andy Glidewellhttps://www.trainrecovermove.com/andyglidewellpthttps://uamshealth.com/provider/michael-a-glidewell/ --- BackTable Bone & Sports is the go-to podcast for orthopedic surgeons, sports medicine docs, pain specialists, and MSK radiologists. Download the free BackTable app to get early access to new episodes, cases, and courses curated by physicians in your specialty.► https://www.backtable.com/app
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Ep. 108 ACL Rehab: Protocols and Best Practices with Dr. Andy Glidewell
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