Rehabilitation after autogenous bone-patellar tendon-bone ACL reconstruction

Area of Science:

• Orthopedics
• Sports Medicine
• Physical Therapy

Background:

• Anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries significantly impact knee function and athletic participation.
• Evolving rehabilitation strategies are crucial for managing surgically treated ACL-deficient knees.
• A well-structured rehabilitation program is essential for preventing complications and optimizing outcomes.

Purpose of the Study:

• To present a refined, multi-phase rehabilitation protocol for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.
• To improve long-term knee stability and facilitate a safe return to sports.
• To minimize postoperative complications through aggressive preoperative and early postoperative management.

Main Methods:

• A four-phase rehabilitation protocol developed over 12 years of clinical experience.
• Phase 1: Preoperative period.
• Phase 2: 0-2 weeks postoperation, focusing on hyperextension, swelling control, and leg control.
• Phase 3: 2-5 weeks postoperation.
• Phase 4: >5 weeks postoperation, focusing on return to athletic activities.
• Emphasis on preoperative preparation, extension, and closed-chain exercises.

Main Results:

• The refined protocol aims to eliminate postoperative complications.
• The program is designed to ensure long-term knee stability.
• The protocol facilitates a safe and rapid return to athletic activities.

Conclusions:

• Aggressive preoperative conditioning and early postoperative focus on extension and closed-chain exercises are key.
• Avoiding immediate surgery and optimizing patient preparation enhances final results.
• Continuous evaluation and adaptation of the rehabilitation program are vital for ongoing improvement.