Wroclaw Medical University and MHB pool expertise in ACL rehabilitation

Brandenburg/Havel, 7 February 2024

The Brandenburg Medical School Theodor Fontane (MHB) collaborates with the Wroclaw Medical University to advance research in the reconstruction of torn cruciate ligament. Funding has now been raised to intensify a bilateral cooperation project. Dr. Robert Prill, in charge of research at the orthopedics/trauma surgery center of the MHB university hospital in Brandenburg/Havel (director: Prof. Dr. Roland Becker), is looking forward to the project and welcomes support from the DAAD (German Academic Exchange Service) for such an important cooperation.

Dr. Robert Prill and Dr. Aleksandra Królikowska, Prof. UMW, jointly supervise the project which is entitled “Advancements in back to sport decision making”. The objective is to develop new criteria so that athletes can effectively and safely resume sports activities and competitions.

              Dr. Robert Prill

The Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is one of a pair of ligaments that stabilize the knee joint. ACL injuries frequently occur in young and physically active persons. The standard treatment is arthroscopic reconstruction, i.e. surgery to replace the torn ligament with a transplant. For a period of two years after reconstruction, the risk of ACL injury in the other leg is the same as the risk of a renewed injury of the ACL transplant.

Researchers therefore attach importance to the identification and modification of factors which may cause secondary injury. Premature resumption of sports and functional deficits are rated among the main causes. The project explores various methods to assess patients’ functional capabilities after ACL reconstruction, such as clinical tests, coordinative tests and measurement of muscle power.

This year saw the completion of the Erasmus+ project ”Evidence Implementation in Clinical Practice“ which Dr. Robert Prill conducted with the participation of another Polish university. It is most gratifying in the context of internationalization efforts that the MHB is now starting the next cooperation project with funding from the DAAD.