Rehabilitation after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Lee, Han Jun; Park, Chi Woo

Abstract

The purpose of postoperative rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is to restore the knee joint function by recovering the joint stability and preventing postoperative complications, such as stiffness and patello-femoral problem. Many accelerated rehabilitation programs have been introduced in order to restore the knee joint function, and performed pre-and post-operatively. Pre-operative rehabilitation programs consistof preparing the operation mentally and physically, especially the patient education is the most important point of this step. Post-operative rehabilitations and methods of the ligament reconstruction should be explained and expectation of the patients also should be fully understood by the surgeon. The main purpose of rehabilitation is to acquire contentable range of motion by regulating painand swelling of the knee joint, and to prevent atrophy of quadriceps muscles. The fundamental concepts of the post-operative rehabilitation are early knee joint extension, early weight bearing and early recover of quadriceps muscle power of the knee joint. Passive knee extension should be achieved completely within 1 week post-operatively to prevent contracture of the posterior capsule and scaring of the femoral condylar notch, but if not attained at least 2 weeks, that could bring a poor outcomes. Partial weight bearing should be started immediately if not painful, and full weight bearing could be allowed after 4 weeks. Quadriceps muscle exercise including isometric contracture should begin to start at the first day after surgery because restoration of quadriceps muscle power is important for return to activity of daily living. Electrical muscle stimulation and biofeedback would be helpful to recover quadriceps muscle power by decreasing pain and swelling of the joint effectively. Two weeks after surgery, patients could begin closed kinetic chain exercise, after that, patients could exercise the quadriceps muscle more effectively adding open kinetic chain exercise. Recently, trainings for proprioception and neuromuscular control have been emphasized in orderto improve dynamic stability of the knee joint. Nowadays, variable post-operative rehabilitation programs are introduced for regain the knee joint function, and can be differed by types of graft, concomitant injuries, and especially methods of surgery, so should be performed individually, not by standardized program.