Dr. Fahd Harbawi Leads International Research on ACL Recovery Protocols in Partnership with Top Orthopedic Surgeons
In Collaboration with Leading Orthopedic Surgeons Worldwide In a significant scientific contribution to the fields of physiotherapy and orthopedic surgery, Dr. Fahd Harbawi, Head of the Department of Physiotherapy at An-Najah National University, has published an advanced international study on rehabilitation protocols following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. The study was conducted in collaboration with Prof. Juan Carlos, President of the European Society for Sports Traumatology, Knee Surgery, and Arthroscopy (ESSKA), and published in the prestigious Journal of Experimental Orthopaedics, a Q1-ranked journal with an impact factor of 2.7, issued by Wiley and indexed in the Web of Science (WOS).
This study stands out as one of the few randomized controlled trials (RCTs) from the region to rigorously examine post-operative rehabilitation for ACL patients, offering high levels of scientific validity and clinical relevance. The research focused on evaluating the effectiveness of the BQTA (Bone–Quadriceps Tendon Autograft) protocol, which utilizes autologous grafts harvested from the quadriceps tendon with a bone plug for ACL reconstruction.
The results revealed that the BQTA protocol did not achieve the expected functional improvement in a subset of patients. This finding raises important clinical questions and could contribute to a global reassessment of the protocol's efficacy in ACL rehabilitation.
The study was conducted in collaboration with several leading academic and medical institutions in Spain, including Hospital del Mar in Barcelona, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona (UAB), University of Granada, and the Orthopedic and Trauma Surgery Department at Hospiten Estepona Hospital in Málaga.
This publication exemplifies genuine international research collaboration driven by scientific exchange, evidence-based findings, and direct clinical impact. It not only reflects Dr. Harbawi’s expertise but also highlights An-Najah National University's growing role in shaping therapeutic practices regionally and globally.
