Knee Expansion Lecture
The Cross Bracing Phenomenon
Can the ACL truly heal without surgery?
A clear, balanced and evidence based update, on what the Cross Bracing Protocol is, why it was developed, what the research has shown so far, and how clinicians should think about it in practice. Supported by Medi Uk & delivered by pioneers A.Prof Stephanie Filbay & Dr Tom Cross at Leeds Beckett University, UK. A must watch lecture...
Why This Lecture Matters
The Cross bracing protocol has added a new layer to ACL management discussions, raising important questions around healing, bracing, patient selection, MRI interpretation and knee stability.
Background
For years, ACL ruptures were seen as injuries that couldn’t heal without surgery, leading most young, active patients straight to reconstruction. But recent advances in research and imaging have challenged this view, revealing that the ACL does have healing potential. This breakthrough has sparked a shift in how we approach ACL management - moving beyond a one-size-fits-all surgical solution.
Today, patients actually have three options:
ACL Reconstruction (ACLR): The traditional surgical method, where a graft replaces the torn ligament to restore knee stability
Exercise-Based Rehabilitation: A non-surgical path focusing on strengthening, neuromuscular control and progressive return to sport training
Cross Bracing Protocol (CBP): A newer, conservative strategy using a strict range of motion bracing system designed to promote the ACL’s natural healing, without the need for surgery
Curious to learn more about this exciting development? Access the recorded event now to explore the latest research from pioneers Dr Tom Cross & Dr Stephanie Filbay, discussing how this method can be implemented in your practice offering fresh possibilities for your patients
What Clinicians Will Take Away
By the end of this lecture, clinicians should have a clearer understanding of:
Who Is The Lecture For?
At Simply MSK LTD, we champion a collaborative, multidisciplinary approach to managing ACL injuries - breaking down silos and fostering teamwork across specialities. This event is crafted for ALL musculoskeletal (MSK) clinicians involved in acute ACL care, from:
Physiotherapists working with knee injuries
MSK clinicians assessing acute knee trauma
Rehabilitation professionals involved in ACL care
Advanced practice clinicians working in Orthopaedic ACL pathways
Orthopaedic surgeons and surgical fellows open to managing ACL injury differently
Clinicians who have heard about the Cross Bracing Protocol and want a clear, balanced update.
You do not need to be delivering the Cross Bracing Protocol to benefit from this lecture.
This is for clinicians who want to understand the discussion properly.
Meet Our Speakers
A.Prof Stephanie Filbay
Associate Professor Steph Filbay is a Principal Research Fellow, NHMRC Fellow, Dame Kate Campbell Fellow for Research Excellence, and co-lead of the Musculoskeletal and Sports Medicine Stream of the Centre for Health, Exercise and Sports Medicine at the University of Melbourne.
Drawing on her extensive research, A/Prof Filbay is recognised for promoting evidence-based management of ACL injury and developing strategies to improve outcomes for patients. She has presented her research over 100 times to a variety of stakeholders, serves on committees for international organisations, has supervised over 30 individuals at various career stages and received numerous awards, scholarships, and grants for her research.
A/Prof Filbay was recently awarded a consecutive NHMRC Investigator Grant to fund a further five years of research aimed at improving outcomes for people with ACL injury, and was awarded over $2M in funding to lead a large clinical trial comparing ACL injury outcomes between people managed with the Cross Bracing Protocol and ACL reconstruction.
Dr Tom Cross
Dr Tom Cross has practised sports medicine for the past 25 years and during that time successfully completed 5 years of specialist post-graduate training in sport & exercise medicine and gained fellowship to the ACSEP (Australasian College of Sport & Exercise Physicians, (https://www.acsep.org.au/).
Prior to specializing in sports medicine Dr Cross gained a broad medical experience working as a Resident Doctor for 3 years in the NSW public hospitals, including 1 year specialising in paediatrics at the New Hospital for Children (Westmead) where he gained a Diploma in Child Health.
Dr Cross has broad sports medicine experience caring for recreational athletes (adults and children), musculoskeletal injuries that occur at work or home, elite/professional athletes and also military personnel.
Ready To Understand Cross Bracing More Clearly?
Access the evening lecture and get a balanced evidence update on what the Cross Bracing Protocol is, why it has gained attention, and what the results show to date.
NEW TO THE FRAMEWORK?
Start With Beyond Silos First
The lower limb expansion courses are built on our Clinical Reasoning Without Silos Framework.
If you have not completed the course yet, beyond silos gives you the reasoning foundation that underpins every expansion pathway.
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