Dietary Protein Intake and Rehabilitation From Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery

The Effects of Providing Protein and Nutritional Guidance on Healing Times After ACL Surgery

Protein supplementation may promote increases in strength and hypertrophy in the context of resistance training (RT) and reduce markers of inflammation, while sufficient levels of protein are necessary for healing certain wounds and maintenance of muscle mass in a protein depleted state. Protein supplementation could be useful to improve clinical outcomes.

Protein supplementation may promote increases in strength and hypertrophy in the context of resistance training (RT) and reduce markers of inflammation, while sufficient levels of protein are necessary for healing certain wounds and maintenance of muscle mass in a protein depleted state. Despite this, no studies have investigated the role of protein provision in the context of physical therapy (PT) or musculoskeletal rehabilitation, including following surgical interventions. Survey data of Americans in the highest protein consuming age range (19-30 year old consuming 91 g/kg body weight/day), show they have an adequate protein intake to maintain nitrogen balance at baseline (85 g/kg). However, if patients under consume protein, as apparent in older adults (mean intake of 66 g/kg) these individuals will require more during times of tissue healing or could benefit with more in attempting to build back their strength through RT or PT. Thus, protein supplementation could be useful to improve clinical outcomes.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Participants with a complete ACL tear and received a hamstring autograft ACL repair surgery (within 8 months of injury) and plan to complete physical therapy and follow up treatment with WFBH at D1 outpatient rehabilitation
• Subjects must have a smartphone capable of running the nutrition tracking app (My Fitness Pal)

Exclusion Criteria:

• Subjects must not have other ligamentous involvement, or complications during the surgical procedure.
• They must not have had a concurrent meniscal repair (debridement is acceptable).
• They must not have post-operative limitations that interfere with rehabilitation.
• Patients determined by the referring surgeon to be poor candidates for the study for any medical (including history of eating disorder, phenylketonuria, maple syrup urine disease, food allergies, lactose intolerance, kidney or liver disease) or other reasons that deem them inappropriate to complete the intervention (driving distance from facility, work schedule that prohibits therapy treatments, dietary restrictions) will be excluded.
• Females who are pregnant will not be permitted in the study.