Managing Hidden Deficits Following Traumatic Knee Joint Injury Beyond Return to Play and Competitive Sports
Abstract:
Long-term effects of traumatic joint injury beyond the athletic career are widely known to increase the risk of developing post-traumatic osteoarthritis (PTOA). However, mechanisms behind persistent sensorimotor, joint loading, and neuroplasticity dysfunction have not been as widely studied. Emerging neuroscience research suggests a need for strategies that train the ability to integrate sensory information to restore optimal neuromuscular function. Focused long-term rehabilitation targeting sensorimotor dysfunction and abnormal knee loading mechanics may help mitigate PTOA development. Athletic Trainers play an important role in the education of potential deficits and interventions to optimize long-term joint health following traumatic joint injury.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the role of the Athletic Trainer in identifying and mitigating risks for OA.
- Explain the role of somatosensory deficits in increasing risk for short-term injury, reinjury, or decreased long-term joint health.
- Describe the importance of incorporating sensorimotor and cognitive load training strategies during RTP and during ongoing training for maintenance of joint health.
- Identify assessment and training tools, and their applications for addressing potential deficits in sensorimotor and cognitive load function for patients prior to the development of OA.
Level:
Advanced
Domain(s):
Domain 1: Risk Reduction Wellness and Health Literacy
Domain 3: Critical Incident Management
Orthopedic Domain(s):
N/A
CEUs:
1.0 Category A
Keywords:
Anterior cruciate ligament, osteoarthritis, sensorimotor function
In order to earn your CEUs, you must watch the session video in its entirety and complete the assessment.
Course Expiration:
All sessions of the NATA 76th Symposia On-Demand must be completed by October 31, 2025 at 11:59 p.m. CDT.
For full details, refer to the expiration policy on our FAQ page.
Cris Stickley, PhD, ATC, CSCS
Andrew Takata, PhD, ATC, CSCS
Dr. Andrew Takata is the Director of Athletic Performance and Sports Science at Punahou School and an Adjunct Faculty member at the University of Hawaii at Manoa, both in Honolulu, Hawaii. He is a Certified Athletic Trainer and Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist with a PhD in Biomechanics from the University of Hawaii.
With experience spanning professional, collegiate, and high school sports, as well as the private sector, Andrew has worked with athletes across all levels and disciplines. His career includes serving as a seasonal athletic training intern with the Detroit Lions (2013) and as the Director of Athletic Training at Performance Rehab Ortho (2014-2021), a rehabilitation and performance training clinic in Honolulu. In 2019, he founded HNL Movement, a company dedicated to optimizing athletic performance through science-based training and rehabilitation strategies.
Passionate about innovation in sports performance and rehabilitation, Andrew integrates biomechanics, neuroscience, and sports science to advance human movement and athletic development. His work focuses on bridging the gap between research and applied practice to help athletes and individuals optimize their recovery, training, and long-term performance.