Early rehabilitation after arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament.

Background. The purpose of our research was to evaluate the results of early rehabilitation after arthroscopic reconstruction of the anterior cruciate ligament, based on identical rehabilitation methods applied two weeks later. Material and methods. The research involved 30 persons, randomly divided into two groups. Each group received an identical, 12-week program of rehabilitation, differing only in the time of commencement after surgery. We analyzed the range of movement of the knee joint, the circumferences of the knee and hip, and the strength of the flexor and extensor muscle groups in the knee. Results and Conclusions. The outcome for rehabilitation of the knee is not dependent on the time when the rehabilitation process is commenced. However, in view of the occurrence of a greater number of complications when early rehabilitation is applied, individual adjustment of the timing for commencement of rehabilitation procedures would seem to be the optimal solution.