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ACL REHABILITATION RESEARCH STUDY
LINKING LOWER LIMB DEFICITS AND WHOLE BODY BIOMECHANICS TO ADVANCE CLINICAL RETURN-TO-RUN DECISION-MAKING AFTER ACL RECONSTRUCTION
As part of our mission to create enhanced patient outcomes in rehab programming, we have partnered with the brand new Biomechanics lab at the University of Ottawa. In an effort to improve outcomes for patients recovering from ACL reconstruction surgeries, we are exploring the criteria by which professionals in the field are able to determine optimal timing to reintroduce running during ACL surgery rehab. Read more below!
BEYOND THE KNEE
UNDERSTANDING MOVEMENT & RECOVERY AFTER ACL RECONSTRUCTION
How can we better understand recovery after ACL surgery and improve clinical decision-making?
Using advanced 4D morphology scans, 3D motion capture, force plates, and strength assessments, our research examines how the body moves and adapts throughout rehabilitation. We investigate changes in movement coordination, physical performance, and thigh size to identify patterns during functional and sport-specific movements (squat, jumps, change of direction, running) that may help improve the assessment of recovery and readiness to return to sport.
Help us advance science and join our research study to contribute to the future of ACL rehabilitation!
BENEFITS TO RESEARCH PARTICIPANTS
1. Enhanced data and decision making criteria for Rehab and Surgical Team
2. Maximal transparency and feedback in rehab progress
3. Optimized exercise prescription by virtue of improved decision making capabilities
4. To support full access to rehab equipment and technology, participants receive 1 month of complimentary access to the Sport Science Supervised Rehab Gym.
*uOttawa Biomechanics Lab testing is free for project participants
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OUR RESEARCH OBJECTIVES
1. Improve the safety of return to run decision making throughout rehabilitation spectrum, following ACL reconstruction
2. Support harm reduction in ACL Rehab progression (Specific to Return to Run Integration and within jumping and cutting movements)
3. Identify compensatory movement strategies following ACL reconstruction
EXPLORE YOUR ELIGIBILITY
First and foremost ... anyone that is dealing with an ACL injury is eligible to receive rehabilitative care at HW // Sport Science. To get started, just follow the links to book an initial ACL physio assessment. If you want to pre-screen yourself for eligbility for the research project, clink to link below.
1. Were you assigned female at birth?
2. Are you currently between the ages of 15 and 30?
3. Was ACL your only surgically repaired injury?
4. At the time of injury, were you physically active 2-3 times per week?
If you answered yes to all of these questions, you are most likely eligible to take part in this study.
ABOUT THE RESEARCH
Recovering from an ACL injury involves much more than healing the knee. Our research investigates how the body regains strength, restores movement, and adapts throughout rehabilitation. Using advanced 4D scans, 3D motion analysis and physical assessments, we aim to better understand recovery and contribute to improved rehabilitation and return-to-sport decisions.
RESEARCH PARTICIPANT PERFORMING AN ABALAKOV JUMP ON TRIAXIAL FORCEPLATES WITH 4D ANALYSIS + 3D MOTION CAPTURE
WHAT ARE WE
TESTING?
We study how people walk, run, squat, jump, and perform other functional movements like change of directions. Our specialized cameras track how the body moves, while force-measuring equipment helps us understand how each leg contributes to movement. We also assess muscle strength and volume to examine how different aspects of recovery relate to one another.
BEYOND WHAT WE CAN TYPICALLY OBSERVE IN A PHYSIO CLINIC, THE RESEARCH TECHNOLOGY AT UOTTAWA HELPS US MAP BIOMECHANICS ON TOP OF THE KINETIC TESTS WE GET FROM TYPICAL FORCEPLATE TESTS.
WHY DOES IT
MATTER?
After ACL surgery, people may regain strength while still moving differently from before their injury. By tracking recovery over time and comparing movement with healthy individuals, we hope to better understand which aspects of physical function recover together, which take longer, and how this information could help clinicians evaluate rehabilitation progress for safer decision-making.
OTTAWA SURGEONS
WE'D LOVE TO
CONNECT
If you are a local orthopaedic surgeon and would like to to learn more about the study and how we propose to support your surgical patients . Please provide your information below, we'd love to set up a time to discuss.
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