Albury-based FlexOut Physio was selected as just one of two regional locations to take part in the study.

FlexOut Physio project lead Sabrina Rollings said they were excited to be on the frontline of a project that will potentially prevent the need for joint replacements.

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"Right now a lot of the research is saying if you have an ACL reconstruction no matter what age, you're four to six times more likely to develop early onset of osteoarthritis in your knee and when that happens some people are gearing towards having to have a joint replacement," she said.

La Trobe University Sport and Exercise Medicine Research Centre researchers, led by Kay Crossley and Adam Culvenor, hope to evaluate the effectiveness of a world-leading rehabilitation program aimed at improving outcomes after ACL reconstruction.

"People who have an ACL injury are four to six times more at risk of early retirement from sport, persistent pain and arthritis compared to uninjured people," said Dr Culvenor.

"Someone with an ACL injury is twice as likely to require a knee joint replacement later in life and is one-and-a-half times more likely to develop chronic cardiovascular disease."

The study is still looking for program participants, who are nine-months and three-years post op.

Mrs Rollings said researchers take MRI images of the participants before and during the study.

"They're looking... to see if osteoarthritis changes are staying a bit static or are they changing or are we putting a hold on them," she said.

Four physios at FlexOut Physio have been specially trained for the project which focuses on strength, power and agility.

"I still am excited, it's one of those things that make you want to definitely come to work," she said.

"We get to work with the best brains in Melbourne if not Australia."

Participants must undertake sessions with a physio twice a week for 16 weeks.

Mrs Rollings said they had already begun working with one participant but were looking for more to join the study.

"We have one that's started," she said.

"It's actually so good already, they're really keen and it's pretty powerful when you've got all brains, a body and motivation on board.

"Hopefully we are giving them the quality of life they're after after this huge injury."

People interested in participating can contact FlexOut or the research team on aclstudy@latrobe.edu.au.

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