Abstract

Background. Damage to the anterior cruciate ligament results in marked functional impairment of the entire lower extremity and pro-prioceptive deficits. A number of arthroscopic techniques are now used for ACL reconstruction, the most important goal of the treatment always being complete restoration of joint function and the best possible stabilisation to allow the patient to return to professional and sports actiyity at pre-injury levels. Material and methods. The study was carried out at the Cracow Rehabilitation Centre in the years 2007-2008. Thirty-three patients recovering from arthroscopic ACL reconstruction were enrolled. The paper presents the model of physiotherapeutic rehabilitation practised at the Centre sińce 2006. Patients were examined twice: before and after the course of physiotherapy. Results. In the study group of 33 patients, 48.5% had left knee ACL damage and 51.5% had damage to the right knee joint. The range of motion was 53° at examinaiion 1, compared to 109° at examination 2. Muscle strength also increased by a mean of 1.6 degree on the Lovett scale (1.5 for the auadriceps femoris and 1.7 for the biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus) and pain reduction as assessed with a VAS scale. 79% of the patients rated their treatment outcome as excellent or good and 21% rated it as satisfactory or poor.Conclusions. The treatment results show that the model of rehabilitation provides for quick restoration of normal function in the operated limb.

Key words:

transportal reconstruction, ACL, early rehabilitation model