Relevant concomitant care permitted or prohibited during the trial {11d}
lower extremity musculoskeletal dysfunction, sports-related, effusion, pain
EFFUSION
Post-operatively, all patients will undergo standardised medical and rehabilitative protocols according to the Fowler Kennedy Physiotherapy following ACL Reconstruction Protocol. All patients will receive day 1 physiotherapy and standard post-discharge management including wound review at 2 weeks, with clinical reviews at 6 weeks, 3 months and 12 months. Participants will be offered institutional physiotherapy or be free to pursue physiotherapy through an independent provider. Participants will not be asked to modify any of their medication or treatment relating to other medical conditions.Return to sport will not be permitted until criteria stipulated by the Fowler Kennedy protocol are met, as agreed by the senior investigators. As stipulated by the protocol, return to sport is initiated in a graduated format from the 6–9-month mark, provided the operative knee is without pain or effusion during, or after functional sports-related training drills. Lower extremity function scores (LEFS) should be 76 points or greater at this point in rehabilitation. The LEFS is a self-reported questionnaire used to evaluate the functional status of an individual with a lower extremity musculoskeletal dysfunction. The individual must also be able to demonstrate the appropriate strength and endurance needed for their specific sport.