The effects of early rehabilitation on functional outcome of patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with multi-strand semitendinosus and gracilis tendons (STG)

Objective To evaluate the effects of early rehabilitation on the functional recovery in patients after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with STG. Methods Fourty eight patients were divided into two groups. Patients in the group I( n =31) underwent early rehabilitation for 4～6 months post operation. The patients in group II ( n =17) who received traditional treatment served as control. The knee range of motion, Lysholm score and knee laxity test were evaluated for all these patients. The muscle strength of knee during extension and flexion was tested by using Cybex. Results The deficit during either extension or flexion was significantly smaller in group I than that in the control group (2.63°±2.50° vs 4.15°±2.65°,4.15°±2.95° vs 5.01°±2.41°,respectively). Patients in group I achieved better muscle strength, and the Lysholm score was higher as compared with that in patients in group I. Six months after the operation, all patients had negative Lanchman and Pivot shift test. Conclusion The results suggest that early rehabilitation may improve the patient's knee function after reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.