Abstract: An ideal rehabilitation program post anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction enables an individual to return to pre injury levels at a faster rate with minimal to no risk of reinjury to the graft.
The aim of our study is to assess the outcome of accelerated rehabilitation post anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. A rehabilitation program for a duration of 6 months is sufficient when compared to 9 months 106 patients were operated by a single surgeon underwent arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction using quadrupled semitendinosus and gracilis graft and partial meniscectomy for associated meniscal tear. Patients were put on an accelerated rehabilitation protocol designed in our institute on first post-operative day, under the guidance of a physical therapist in consultation with the operated surgeon.
Patients were followed up at 3weeks, 6 months and 9 months post onset of rehabilitation. Patients were assessed using KT1000 Arthrometer and Lysholm knee scoring system.
Out of 106 patients, who were selected, 96 (91%) were males and 10 (9%) were females.
The mean pre-operative Lysholm score was 55.09. Post operatively, while on accelerated rehabilitation program the Lysholm scores were 69.73 at 3 weeks, 89.13 at 6 months and 89.19 at 9 months. In our pre-operative evaluation mean KT 1000 arthrometer score was 10.53 and post-operative at six months was 3.49. At nine months 105 patients had excellent results whereas 1 patient had good result.
Accelerated rehabilitation protocol enables the patient to functionally recover faster to pre injury levels. A rehabilitation protocol for 6 months is sufficient in enabling a patient to get back to pre-injury levels. Functional outcome is the same with or without associated meniscal injuries. KT 1000 knee Arthrometer plays a vital role in diagnosing anterior cruciate ligament injuries and can be used to compare preoperative and post-operative ligament status.
