- Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries remain one of the most common and impactful injuries in athletic populations, requiring a comprehensive and evolving rehabilitation approach. Despite advancements in surgical techniques and rehabilitation protocols, significant variability persists in post-operative management, return-to-play criteria, and interdisciplinary communication between physical therapists and athletic trainers.
- Athletic trainers often play a critical day-to-day role in monitoring, progressing, and supporting athletes following ACL reconstruction. However, many ATCs report limited formal education on current, evidence-based rehabilitation protocols, including phase-based progression, objective return-to-play testing, graft-specific considerations, and risk reduction strategies.
- This program will provide athletic trainers with practical, evidence-based strategies to support ACL reconstruction rehabilitation within their scope of practice. Attendees will gain a clear understanding of modern rehab phases, key milestones, and objective criteria for progression and return to sport. Emphasis will be placed on how ATCs can reinforce therapeutic interventions, monitor athlete response, communicate effectively with rehabilitation teams, and reduce reinjury risk—ultimately improving functional outcomes and safe return-to-play decisions.
MaineGeneral Sports Medicine & Colby College Sports Medicine offers Enduring CME- ACL Reconstruction Rehabilitation: The Role of the ATC
CAT A Presentation
Enduring
- Daniel Turner, PT, MaineGeneral Physical Therapy
- Brian Mathieu, PT, MaineGeneral Physical Therapy
- Aaron Boumil, PT, MaineGeneral Physical Therapy
Objectives
At the conclusion of this program, the participant will be able to:
• Identify current evidence-based phases of ACL reconstruction rehabilitation.
• Recognize key clinical milestones and objective criteria for progression.
• Identify the role of the athletic trainer in supporting and advancing rehabilitation plans.
• Apply strategies to enhance communication and collaboration with physical therapists.
• Implement risk-reduction and return-to-play considerations in athletic settings.
According to the education levels described by the PDC, the following continuing education course is considered to be Advanced.
Credits Awarded
CMEs awarded: 2
MaineGeneral Medical Center designates this live activity for a maximum of 2 AMA PRA Category 1 Credit(s)™. Physicians should only claim credit commensurate with the extent of their participation in the activity. This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the accreditation requirements and policies of the Accreditation Council for Continuing Medical Education (ACCME) through the joint providership of MaineGeneral Medical Center and Colby College. MaineGeneral Medical Center is accredited by the ACCME and the Maine Medical Association’s Committee on Continuing Medical education to provide continuing medical education (CME) for physicians.
Each physician should claim only those credits that he/she actually spent in the activity.
This activity has been planned and implemented in accordance with the Essentials and Standards of the Maine Medical Association Committee on Continuing Medical Education and Accreditation through the partnership of MaineGeneral Medical Center and Colby College Sports Medicine Department.
