Abstract
Introduction
In the majority of cases, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries require specialist surgical and physiotherapeutic treatment. The fact that the patient regains a full range of flexion and extension in the knee joint as well as the reduction or elimination of pain is a significant determinant of successful physiotherapy.
Material and methods
The study included 72 randomly selected individuals with a complete ACL tear who were qualified for its surgical reconstruction. The research group included 37 patients aged 18-60 (mean age 37±10.3 years). All the participants from this group underwent physiotherapy based on recognised schemes of rehabilitation and performed for 4 weeks before the reconstruction surgery. The control group included 35 patients aged 18-60 (mean age 34±10.0 years) who did not undergo any presurgical physiotherapy programme.
Results
Both in the research group and in the control group, subsequent measurements revealed a statistically significant improvement in the range of flexion and extension (p<0.05). Statistical analysis revealed a significantly better extension 1 week and 6 weeks after the ACL reconstruction (p<0.05) in the research group. Statistically significant differences in the level of pain in patients from both groups were noted in subsequent measurements (p<0.05). Also, a statistically significant difference concerning pain assessment 12 weeks after the reconstruction was noted in the research group (p<0.05).
Conclusions
A quicker recovery of the range of extension in the operated knee joint and lower intensity of pain in the final measurement noted in the research group may indicate a certain therapeutic value of presurgical physiotherapy.