ABSTRACT
Objective: Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) is the most commonly torned ligament in the sporting activities, athletes desiring to return to physical activities that require use of the ACL need surgical reconstruction and proper rehabilitation. In the recent years, there have been advancements in the surgical techniques as the femoral tunnel positioning has been shifted from vertical position to more stable oblique position, thus it is a necessary to investigate the effect of early mobilization with the double elbow crutches and its outcome responses. Methods: Total 40 subjects of day one post ACL oblique repair with mean age of 30±3.6 yrs. were participated in the study. Subjects were divided into Group-A and Group-B for rehabilitation with double elbow crutches and walker respectively, along with conventional exercises for 6 weeks. At 4th week both crutches and walker were discarded in both groups. Rehabilitation outcomes were assessed by static, dynamic stability and lysholm knee functional score were assessed at 4th, 6th weeks post operatively for both groups. Results: There was significant difference between static, dynamic stability and lysholm knee functional score at 4th and 6th weeks when compared within each group (p<0.001). Between group comparison showed insignificant difference in outcomes such as static stability (p=0.18; p=0.55) dynamic stability (p=0.09; p=0.06) and lysholm score (p=0.51; 0.65) at 4th and 6th week post repair respectively. Conclusion: It is concluded that knee Stability and lysholm functional knee score was significantly improved by early mobilization with double elbow crutches and walker independently although there is no significant difference between double elbow crutches and walker in post oblique ACL surgical repair rehabilitation.
ABSTRACT
Objective: Rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction has focused over the past decade on early mobility and exercises in the recent years, due to advancements in the surgical techniques, presumably less strain on the graft. Thus it was necessary to investigate the effect of early mobilization with the single elbow crutch with conventional methods and its outcome responses. Materials and Methods: Totally, 40 subjects of day 1 post-ACL oblique repair with mean age of 25 ± 5.3 years participated in the study. Subjects were divided into experimental and control groups for rehabilitation with single elbow crutch and walker, respectively, along with conventional exercises for 6 weeks. After 4 th week elbow crutch and walker were discarded for both groups. Interventional outcomes were assessed by static, dynamic stability, and knee functional score at 4 th and 6 th weeks post-operatively for both groups. Results: Both groups showed statistically significant difference in static and dynamic stability at 4 th and 6 th weeks. Whereas compared with experimental group, in control group Lysholm functional score was low in at 4 th and 6 th weeks. It was found that outcomes were improved within each group from 4 th to 6 th week. Conclusion: Study concluded that knee stability and Lysholm functional Knee Score were significantly improved by early mobilization although functional score was more significant in single elbow crutch group than walker and also recommended early weaning off walking aids for faster outcomes during rehabilitation of post-ACL repair.