ACL Case Report #57 | Natural Healing for a 30-Year-Old Greek Male

Jun Matsumoto Official Page

ACL Case Report #57: Successful Natural Healing through Evo-Devo Exercise — Return to Sports and Functional Lifestyle for a 30-Year-Old Greek Male

Summary:

The patient sustained a right knee ACL tear while practicing kickboxing. An initial MRI confirmed a complete rupture. Seeking to avoid surgery, he chose non-surgical natural healing with Jun Matsumoto via online therapy. He performed a daily home program of Evo-Devo Exercise. He also followed a strict management plan. This included a brace set to 30–120° (restricting 0–30° extension) and a walking limit of 3,000 steps per day. The final MRI revealed successful morphological healing after 5 months. All three independent specialists unanimously confirmed ACLOAS Grade 2 (thinning/elongation with continuity preserved). After progressive rehabilitation, he restored stability and returned to daily life and moderate sports activities.

ACL Online Therapy for natural healing

The case reports of ACL natural healing

Facebook ACL Patients Group

Patient Information

Age / Nationality: 30-year-old male, Greek
Injured side: Right knee

Mechanism of Injury

Date of injury: 4 August 2023
Context: He injured his right knee during kickboxing practice. He fell while landing from a spin kick and perceived a popping sound. He visited a hospital on the same day for X-rays. The imaging ruled out fractures, and he received icing treatment. He returned to the clinic 10 days later for a physical exam. An MRI on 17 August 2023 diagnosed a complete ACL tear.

Initial Evaluation (MRI #1)

Date: 17 August 2023
Diagnosis: Right knee complete ACL tear
Ihara classification: IV (Grade 4) — Confirmed by a majority of 3 independent specialists (indistinct/unclear stumps) ※2 out of 3 specialists classified it as Type IV, and 1 as Type III.

[Ihara classification notes]

I = linear/straight tear; II = curved tear; III = tear with displaced stumps; IV = indistinct/unclear stumps.

Initial Policy & Start of Therapy

Start date: Late August 2023
Format: Online guidance; initiation of non-surgical management via Jun Matsumoto
Brace management: Knee range of motion set to 30–120° (0–30° full extension restricted)
Activity: Walking strictly restricted to ≤3,000 steps/day
Home program: Evo-Devo Exercise performed daily

Final MRI Evaluation (~5 months)

Date: 5 January 2024 (approx. 5 months post-injury)
Assessment: ACLOAS Grade 2 (thinning/elongation with continuity preserved) — Unanimously confirmed by 3 independent specialists ※All 3 specialists classified it as Grade 2.
Clinical Finding: The follow-up imaging confirmed excellent structural recovery and tissue continuity. The patient progressed with targeted rehabilitation. He successfully restored stability for daily activities and moderate sports.

[ACLOAS (native ACL) notes]

0 = normal; 1 = thickening/intra-ligament high signal with shape and continuity preserved; 2 = thinning/elongation with continuity preserved; 3 = discontinuity.

Results

Initial: Ihara IV (majority consensus)
Final: ACLOAS Grade 2 (successful morphological healing with robust continuity preserved)
Clinical status: Satisfactory functional recovery with return to daily life and moderate sports activities.

Summary

Injury (2023/08/04): Right knee complete ACL tear during kickboxing. He felt a popping sound, and an MRI confirmed a rupture.
Management: Range of motion restriction (30–120° brace setting restricting 0–30° extension), walking limit of 3,000 steps per day, and daily Evo-Devo Exercise via online therapy.
Objective Evidence: Three independent readers unanimously confirmed natural healing with restored continuity (ACLOAS Grade 2). He achieved a full return to daily activities and moderate sports without surgery.