ACL Reconstruction Re-injury Prevention Testing Program

Details

WHAT WE NEED

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction re-injury prevention testing program (RIPT) is a new initiative that aims to support the wider application of an industry-verified, credible and replicable End of Treatment test for ACL. ACC is seeking to appoint physiotherapy suppliers in three regions (WAIKATO, WELLINGTON AND PALMERSTON NORTH) to:
a) Receive training in application of the RIPT; and
b) Apply the RIPT to a cohort of ACC ACL clients.

This time-limited proof-of-concept will help both ACC and the sector to test whether client outcomes can be maximised using a RIPT.
The Re-injury Prevention Test (RIPT) is a test carried out at the end of a client’s rehabilitation after surgery. It has been designed to reduce a patient’s risk of re-rupture following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Participating physiotherapists will be undertaking the RIPT on patients they are not treating to make the test independent.

The standardised battery of physical tests are:
• Applied to clients when they and their treatment providers consider their rehabilitation has achieved a suitable level of function to undergo assessment following ACL reconstruction.
• Administered by trained and accredited physiotherapists.
• Triggered by referral from surgical specialists.
• Summarised by a Yes/No result to guide participation in sporting, recreational and work activities.
• In addition, for patients that are deemed not to be at a standard to return to activity (a No result), the program will give them and their provider guidance on the rehabilitation they need to focus on, to achieve a pass.

WHAT'S IMPORTANT TO US?

ACC is looking for credible physiotherapy suppliers who have the capability, experience and infrastructure to deliver RIPT in their practice. To be eligible to apply Physios need to have:
• 5 years post graduate clinical experience which includes:
o high exposure to lower limb injuries,
o have been involved in post graduate study; or
o undertaken a special interest project in the area of post-operative rehabilitation, ideally around ACL management; and
o provide written reference/s from Orthopaedic surgeons completing ACL surgery to endorse their working relationship and provide support for their level of care in post-operative management.