Case Study: Rehabilitation of a Surgically Repaired Medial Collateral Knee Ligament Using a Limited Motion Cast and...

Recent studies indicate that early mobilization of surgically repaired collateral ligaments leads to a more rapid gain in tensile strength compared to immobilized ligaments. Other advantages of early mobilization include prevention of muscle atrophy, joint stiffness, and articular cartilage fibrillation. Because of these observations, a professional Australian Rules footballer with a complete rupture of the right medial collateral ligament of his knee joint, was commenced, after surgical repair, on an early controlled mobilization program using a limited motion cast (LMC) and isokinetic exercise. Rehabilitation was commenced after 2 weeks of immobilization in a LMC, and progressed through four stages, all coupled with isokinetic exercise. Weeks 2-6, exercise in LMC through 20-60 degrees ; weeks 7-8, exercise out of LMC through 15- 1 OOO; weeks 8-9, exercise through a full range of movement, 0-130'; weeks 10- 12, exercise through a full range plus inner range 0-30' repetitions. The footballer returned to full competition approximately 12 weeks postsurgery with no medial collateral laxity and almost normal Cybex IP parameters. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther 1986;7(4):154-158.