Recovery following orthopaedic surgery for anterior cruciate ligament or Achilles tendon ruptures

Anterior cruciate ligament and Achilles tendon rupture are both catastrophic injuries that involve a prolonged period of time away from sport or other daily functions. There have been advances in understanding of what is needed to fully recover from these injuries following surgical repair. This includes greater focus on specific functional criteria during rehabilitation as well as a focus on recovering the confidence and psychological mindset to return to activities people were engaged in prior to their injury. The proposed research project will be undertaken at one of the premier orthopaedic surgery institutes in Australia, OrthoSport Victoria (OSV), located in Richmond near the central business district of Melbourne. At this centre we routinely undertake prospective follow-up of people who have had surgical repair of their anterior cruciate ligament or Achilles tendon and assess recovery of physical and psychological outcomes at various timepoints as well as how these variables relate to the ability to return to prior activity levels. This research program is already established and the successful students' role will mainly involve assistance with data analysis and reporting. You will be well supported by a dedicated team of surgeons, sports medicine physicians, sports scientists and physiotherapists.