Management of ACL Injuries in Basketball

Tears of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are prevalent in basketball athletes, comprising up to 64% of all knee injuries in cutting and pivoting sports. ACL rupture should be suspected in any non-contact injury causing a valgus stress to the knee immediately following foot strike, with a detailed history and targeted physical examination maneuvers aiding in diagnosis. Radiographic and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging can be used to confirm ACL tears, with a majority of athletes opting for surgical reconstruction to restore functional stability and prevent subsequent meniscal/cartilage damage. While specific aspects of surgical technique remain surgeon dependent, such as optimal graft selection and tunneling technique, ACL reconstruction provides a successful return to sports for most athletes. Rehabilitation in the basketball athlete following reconstruction is time-intensive and multifaceted with an initial goal of normalizing a player’s strength and range of motion. Athletes should be released to return to sport only after demonstrating pain-free sports-related activities and passing a functional sports assessment revealing symmetric muscle strength and neuromuscular control of the reconstructed knee.