Knee Ligament Injuries: Evaluation and Rehabilitation
Presented by Dan Rhon
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Knee ligament injuries are among the most common and impactful musculoskeletal conditions, particularly in athletic populations. This course explores the anatomy, biomechanics, and mechanisms behind injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL), posterior cruciate ligament (PCL), and collateral ligaments. Clinicians will learn to conduct a comprehensive subjective and objective evaluation, apply appropriate special tests, and determine the best course of treatment—whether surgical or conservative. Current evidence on rehabilitation strategies, including emerging approaches such as neurocognitive training and load management, is also reviewed. This course is designed for physical therapists, athletic trainers, and other rehabilitation professionals managing acute or chronic knee ligament injuries in sports medicine and orthopedic settings.
Learning Outcomes
- Analyze the roles of the cruciate and collateral ligaments in contributing to knee function and stability
- Categorize the key components of the subjective and objective examination, including relevant differential diagnoses
- Distinguish the most common patterns of knee ligament injury
- Examine best-evidence-based treatment and rehabilitation strategies for knee ligament injuries
Meet your instructor
Dan Rhon
Dr. Dan Rhon is a clinician, active researcher, and assistant professor at Baylor University in Texas. He received an MPT and DSc through Baylor University and then a DPT through Temple University. He attended a manual therapy clinical fellowship at Brooke Army Medical Center in Texas, is a fellow in the American Academy of…
Chapters & learning objectives
1. Basic Anatomy and Biomechanics of the Major Knee Ligaments
This chapter introduces the structural roles of the ACL, PCL, MCL, and LCL, describing how each contributes to joint stability. An understanding of how these ligaments respond to movement and load is essential for recognizing injury patterns and guiding treatment strategies.
2. Epidemiology and Etiology of Knee Ligament Injuries
This chapter discusses the frequency and causes of knee ligament injuries, highlighting the high incidence of ACL tears and the differences in mechanisms of injury across ligament types. Clinicians will explore how factors such as activity type, gender, and biomechanics contribute to injury risk.
3. Subjective Evaluation
Clinicians will learn how to gather a focused patient history that captures the mechanism of injury, symptom onset, and functional limitations. This information lays the groundwork for identifying potential ligament involvement and directing the physical exam.
4. Objective Evaluation
This chapter covers the physical examination techniques used to assess ligament integrity, including the Lachman, joint line tenderness, drawer, and varus/valgus stress tests. The chapter emphasizes interpreting findings in clinical context and addresses imaging considerations using evidence-based guidelines.
5. Overview of Best Evidence for Nonsurgical Management
Learners will examine the current research comparing surgical versus conservative treatment for ligament injuries, with particular attention to ACL and MCL management. The chapter highlights the potential for ligament healing without surgery and the critical role of strength, motor control, and patient education in rehabilitation.
6. Current Concepts for Optimal Rehabilitation After Surgical Repair of Knee Ligaments
This chapter explores the gaps in current postoperative rehab protocols and the importance of objective strength testing, particularly of the quadriceps. It also introduces neurocognitive rehabilitation as an emerging strategy to improve return-to-sport outcomes after ligament reconstruction.
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Knee Ligament Injuries: Evaluation and Rehabilitation
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