Update on Rehabilitation Protocol Following ACL Reconstruction

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament lessions represent one of the most frequently met injuries of the knee, determining pain and instability and having a decisive impact over the patients functional level and quality of life. Regardless whether or not the decision of surgical intervention is made, patients with ACL tear are at higher risk of developing osteoarthritis, long term disability and an increased risk of additional meniscus tear. Literature data, although it offers a suffi cient amount of information on the subject, still presents debates on the advantages of one rehabilitation program over another. Achieving maximal range of motion as soon as possible is a main objective in ACL injuries, restrictions of mobility leading to prolonged rehabilitation periods. The are also discussions on the benefi ts of using open versus closed kinetic chain exercises, and also to what extend can the rehabititation program be accelerated in order to return the knee to the pre-injury state. The rehabilitation program must contain a multimodal approach composed of not only adapted kinetotherapy programs, but also associated modalities such as cryotherapy, neuromuscular stimulation, use of braces or hydrokinetotherapy in order to reduce pain and effusion and increase range of motion. The purpose of the present material is to analysis the existing data on the subject, and to evaluate the therapeutic benefi t of the rehabilitation modalities used in ACL injuries.