University of Delaware Prof Lynn Snyder-Mackler, PT, and Michael Axe, MD, with their award from the American Physical Therapy Association for the best clinical paper in orthopedics in 2008.  (Photo credit: J Stewart, University of Delaware.)

Researchers from the University of Delaware, Newark, Del, have won the American Physical Therapy Association's award for the best clinical paper in orthopedics published in 2008, with a study that focused on one of the most controversial topics in sports medicine—the management of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries.

Their article, “A 10-Year Prospective Trial of a Patient Management Algorithm and Screening Examination for Highly Active Individuals with Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Part 2: Determinants of Dynamic Knee Stability,” was published in the January 2008 issue of the American Journal of Sports Medicine. It was one of three papers from the team that reported on a 10-year sample of patients.

Athan Iannucci, a professional lacrosse player with the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League, prepares to do a series of hop tests in the Physical Therapy Clinic at the University of Delaware as part of his injury rehabilitation.                             (Photo credit: J Stewart, University of Delaware.)

Each year, nearly 250,000 Americans, particularly athletes, rupture their ACL.

Should a patient with an ACL injury undergo surgery or not? Although ACL reconstruction is the answer for most patients, a small percentage can make a full recovery without surgery.

Building on past University of Delaware research, the clinical team devised a screening method to identify patients who are the best candidates for rehabilitation through physical therapy. The approach is based on the stability of the patient's knee while doing a series of simple hop tests.

Iannucci mid-air during the hop test in UD's Physical TherapyClinic. (Photo credit: J Stewart, University of Delaware.)

The authors included Wendy Hurd, a PhD graduate of the UD Biomechanics and Movement Science Program; Michael Axe, MD, clinical professor of physical therapy at UD and an orthopedic surgeon at First State Orthopedics in Newark, Del; and Lynn Snyder-Mackler, PT, SCS, ATC, ScD, FAPTA, alumni distinguished professor of physical therapy.

The team recently received the 2009 Steven J. Rose Excellence in Research Award from the APTA's Orthopaedic Section.

[Source: Newswise]