The application of a return-to-performance pathway for a professional footballer recovering from a surgical repair of an isolated lateral collateral knee ligament rupture. A case report

Objectives

Isolated rupture of the lateral collateral ligament (LCL) of the knee is extremely rare in professional football, and there is a paucity of literature describing the rehabilitation for this injury. This case report demonstrates the use of a return-to-performance (RTP_erf) pathway that is time-independent, has clear criteria, and progressive phases to help inform decisions made by a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Methods

A 25-year-old professional footballer sustained an isolated LCL rupture following a tackle by an opposing player, forcing his knee into excessive varus motion. Five days after the injury, the player underwent surgical repair of the LCL before commencing an RTP_erf pathway.

Results

The player returned to team training 12 weeks after surgery before successfully returning to play (RTP_lay) at 13.5 weeks. The player completed full RTP_erf at 16 weeks and continued to play with no evidence of instability or pain.

Conclusion

This case report outlines how an RTP_erf pathway can be successfully used to guide the management of isolated LCL ruptures of the knee.