Acute anterior cruciate ligament injury

This article covers a retrospective investigation of the time from an acute anterior cruciate ligament tear to the intra-articular reconstruction of the tear. The study was conducted to find a specific time that would result in greater knee strength, range of motion (ROM) and/or patient satisfaction after surgery. The patient population was divided into three groups, and the Cybex, ROM and modified Noyes' questionnaire scores were evaluated for each group. The patient data base was collected through the Physical Therapy Department at Methodist Sports Medicine Center in Indianapolis. The analyses indicated that patients who delayed surgery for 22 or more days had better ROM scores, specifically full extension. The results did not show any correlation between the time from injury to surgery and the postoperative strength or patient satisfaction of the involved knee. Further analyses also indicated that patients who delayed surgery for one week or more and who underwent an accelerated rehabilitation program after surgery attained full range at a similar rate as those who delayed surgery for 22 or more days.