[After-care in surgical replacement of the ligaments of the knee joint]

Reconstructive surgery of ligamentous injuries of the Knee Joint is often associated with a considerable impairment of its integrity and requires a high standard of surgical technique. The postoperative course, aiming towards normal function, is demanding and bound to biomechanical and biological principles. It therefore has to be built up gradually and lasts basically 12 months - with an individual variety. Up to the 6th postoperative week the healing process is in the foreground. During the second phase, up to the 12th week careful rehabilitation is aimed to improve muscle strength, increase weight bearing and optimize mobility. In the third phase, from the 12th week on, the patient regains full strength, range of motion as well as coordination, and an integrated sport rehabilitation is started.