We Need to Implement Current Evidence in Early Rehabilitation Programs to Improve Long-Term Outcome After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury.

We like to think that we are successful in the treatment of individuals with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, but recent literature reveals that only about 60% of these individuals make a full recovery, less than 60% return to sport, and more than 50% develop knee osteoarthritis (OA) by middle age. Both short- and long-term outcomes after ACL injury and reconstruction need attention and action. We need to implement strategies early after ACL injury to prevent the development and progression of posttraumatic OA, rather than "sit and wait" until posttraumatic knee OA has developed. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 2016;46(9):710-713. doi:10.2519/jospt.2016.0608.