Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury Prevention Programs

The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has developed Appropriate Use Criteria (AUC) for anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury prevention programs. Evidence-based information, in conjunction with the clinical expertise of physicians, was used to develop the criteria to improve patient care and obtain best outcomes while considering the subtleties and distinctions necessary in making clinical decisions. The clinical patient scenarios presented in the AUC document ACL Injury Prevention Programs were derived from indications typical of patients who commonly present with ACL injuries in clinical practice as well as from current evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and supporting literature. The 48 patient scenarios and 1 treatment were developed by the Writing Panel, a group of clinicians who are specialists in this AUC topic. Next, a separate, multidisciplinary Voting Panel made up of specialists and nonspecialists rated the appropriateness of treatment of each patient scenario using a 9-point scale to designate a treatment as Appropriate (median rating, 7 to 9), May Be Appropriate (median rating, 4 to 6), or Rarely Appropriate (median rating, 1 to 3).