Early mobilization with double elbow crutches on stability and functional knee score in patients with anterior cruciate ligament repair.

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.