American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Appropriate Use Criteria: Case Study on Return to Play to Pre-injury Level Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury

The decision making surrounding return to play after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries is complex and multifactorial. A successful return to play is dependent on several factors, including the stability of the knee, patient-reported symptoms, and adequacy of rehabilitation of the injured knee. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons has developed an appropriate use criteria (AUC) to determine the appropriateness of return to play following an ACL injury. The purpose of this AUC was to determine the appropriateness of clinical practice guideline recommendations for the ACL-injured patient population. This article will highlight the use of the AUC in return-to-play decision making through a case-based approach.