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ANTERIOR CRUCIATE LIGAMENT
RECONSTRUCTION

REHABILITATION PROGRAMME






Dr Mervyn Cross
Julie Godfrey
Margaret Banff



November 1997
(Third Edition)
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Copyright 1997
CROSS, GODFREY, BANFF

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APPENDIX

Open versus Closed Chain Exercise

Closed kinetic chain exercises are performed with the foot placed on a surface (e.g. floor, step,
pedal) and the entire limb is bearing a load and compressed.

In open chain exercises (e.g. leg extensions) a relatively larger shear stress is applied to the joint.

Closed chain exercises performed near full extension have less patellofemoral joint forces.
Co-activation of quadriceps and hamstrings help to reduce anterior shear thereby decrease the
strain on the ACL.

The closed kinetic chain exercise places functional stresses on the joint and the extremity in
ways that are similar to normal weight bearing activities.

The joint compression that occurs when the extremity is loaded by body weight provides
inherent joint stability and allows more strenuous strengthening work outs without the degree of
shearing forces that occur with conventional open kinetic exercises. (Shelbourne & Nitz, 1990).

Knee Braces

There is still no research which shows that braces can control knee rotation.

If the patient's knee is stable and they have completed a comprehensive rehabilitation programme
they do not need to wear any type of brace for return to sport.
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Copyright 1997
CROSS, GODFREY, BANFF

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Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Rehabilitation Programme

What is involved in the repair of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament?

The aim of repair of the ACL is to replace the damaged ligament with a graft which reproduces
the features of the anterior cruciate ligament. The method employed is to take from the patient's
body a piece of fibrous tissue of similar size and strength to the ACL and fix it within the knee
joint in the same position as the old ACL. There are two main sources for fibrous tissue to be
used as a graft: semitendinosus and gracilis muscles of the hamstrings which run down the inner
aspect of the thigh, or the middle portion of the patella tendon which runs from the kneecap to
the tibia. In the case of semitendinosus and gracills muscles the tendons are used at their
attachment to the tibia as a graft.

With the patella tendon the middle one-third of the tendon is taken with an attached piece of
bone at each end, forming the graft. Regeneration occurs at the site from which the graft is taken.
Arthroscopic reconstruction utilises 2 or 3 small incisions rather than 1 large incision, with less
postoperative pain and a more rapid recovery of movement and function. In each case drill holes
are made through the tibia into the knee joint and through the outer aspect of the femur into the
joint. The graft is then passed through these holes so that it lies in the correct position through
the joint. The graft is then secured at each end.

Anterior Cruciate ligament surgery and rehabilitation have undergone considerable changes over
the past decade. There is continuing research into the treatment of ACL injuries which has been
reviewed for the design of this rehabilitation programme.

The major goals of ACL surgery and rehabilitation are:

- Restore normal joint anatomy.

- Provide static and dynamic stability.

- Maintain aerobic conditioning and psychological well being.

- Return to work and sport as quickly as possible.

It is extremely important that the patient has an active involvement in the rehabilitation and is
aware of this fact.

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Copyright 1997
CROSS, GODFREY, BANFF

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Precautions and Considerations:

(Basis for design of this programme)

- Kinematics of knee movement: Between 10 degrees and 45 degrees flexion, quadriceps
contraction causes greatest strain on the ACL.

- Principles of healing collagen and progressive controlled loading: A balance is needed
between stimulus for growth and overloading the new graft.

- Graft Protection: The new graft undergoes physiological changes as fibroblast activity
changes the graft's morphology to become more ligamentous. The graft is weakest
between 6 and 12 weeks post-operatively. Therefore, BE CAREFUL DURING THIS
PERIOD.

- Early mobilisation: Has advantages such as maintenance of articular cartilage nutrition
and bone mineralisation

- Closed chain exercises: Rather than open chain exercises are utilised and designed to
minimise load on the ACL graft (see appendix).

- Loss of ACL mechanoreceptors: Therefore, there must be a large emphasis on
proprioceptive work.




Summary of Staged Programme

Stage I Immediately post-operative
Stage II Hamstring and Quadriceps control
Stage III Proprioception
Stage IV Sport Specific
Stage V Returning to training and competition

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CROSS, GODFREY, BANFF

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Stage I

Time Period: Day 1 to Day 10-14


Goals: Increase ROM
Decrease pain
Decrease swelling


Possible Complications: Infection
Stiffness
Stretch Graft
Haemorrhage
Deep Venous Thrombosis

Activity:

- Post-operative brace 30 to 90 degrees (occasionally 0-90 degrees).

- Hamstring exercises - static contractions at 30, 60 and 90 degrees performed in the brace,
progress to concentric and eccentric in standing.

- Co-contraction of hamstrings and quads;
a) Statically at 60 and 90 degrees
b) Actively flex and extend to 90 degrees,
c) Standing, partial weight bearing.

- Biofeedbacks can be extremely useful.

- Crutch walking partial weight bearing.

- Control pain and swelling using ice.

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Copyright 1997
CROSS, GODFREY, BANFF

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Stage II
Time Period: 2-6 weeks

Goals: Increase ROM
Increase weight bearing
Increase hamstring and quads control
Progress out of brace

Possible Complications: Infection
Stiffness
Increasing laxity of graft

Activity:

- Sutures are removed and physiotherapy commences.
- Brace is worn up to week 4 now set at 0 - 90 degrees. Patients with lax ligaments (i.e.
hyperelasticity) will be immobilised for 6 weeks. Patient can come out of the brace for
physiotherapy. Patient may remove brace for sleeping.
- 0 - 130 degrees ROM should be aimed for by 4 to 6 weeks.
- Progress to full weight bearing once quads control is good and near to full extension.
- Patella mobilisations.
- Two-leg quarter squats, emphasising co-contraction of hamstring and quadriceps. Begin
with isometrics then progress to concentric/eccentric repetition. Watch for patella pain.
- Progress open chain hamstring exercises with resistance.
- Static co-contraction of hamstring and quadriceps at 0 degrees, 60 degrees and 90 degrees
continues. DO these with the tibia externally rotated.
- Use of biofeedback for retraining.
- Gait re-education.
- Stationary bike.
- Begin static proprioception - i.e. stand on affected leg and balance.
- May start light leg press in external rotation.
- Start pool work once brace is removed and wounds healed. Start with walking and hip
exercises. Straight leg kicks only.
- Continue to control pain and swelling using ice and pressure bag therapy (e.g. Masman
pump).
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Stage III

Time Period: 6 - 12 weeks

Goals: Improve neuromuscular control and proprioception
Strengthen hamstrings
Protect graft
Improve patient confidence

Possible Complications: Arthrofibrosis
Chronic inflammation
Patellofemoral irritability
Graft laxity and rupture

Activity:

- Patient should have full ROM by end of this stage.
- Progression of quarter squats to half squats. Add resistance using either stretch cord, hand
weights or bar bell.
- Progress proprioceptive work from static to dynamic, e.g. shift weight from one leg to
other, balance and eventually jogging on mini-tramp, wobble board, etc.
- Progress leg press and hamstring curls keeping tibia externally rotated.
- Continue quads and hamstring control both statically and dynamically in functional
weight bearing positions, e.g. standing on one leg, lunges, wall squats, etc.
- Step ups and step downs.
- Cycling on normal bicycle.
- Swimming - straight leg kick only (no breaststroke or flutter kick).
- Introduce gymnasium equipment such as stepper and rowing machine (both closed
chain).
- Start jogging on the flat (no down hills) once good muscle control and no swelling.,
- Hip and ankle exercises.
- Exercise contralateral leg.
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Copyright 1997
CROSS, GODFREY, BANFF

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Copyright 1997
CROSS, GODFREY, BANFF


Stage IV

Time Period: 12 weeks - 5 months

Goals: Incorporate more sport specific exercises
Incorporate agility and reaction time into proprioceptive work
Increase total leg strength
Develop patient confidence

Possible Complications: Arthrofibrosis continued
Patellofemoral irritability

Activity:

- Progression of strength work, e.g.
o Half squats with resistance,
o Leg press,
o Leg curls,
o Wall squats,
o Step work on progressively higher steps.
- NB. Still no open chain resisted leg extensions.
- Proprioceptive work on mini-tramp such as landing on affected leg and hopping.
- Agility work, e.g. Catching a ball, sideways running, two leg jumping, skipping rope etc.
- Low impact aerobic or step classes.
- Introduce plyometric exercises by 4 to 5 months.
- Should be incorporating physiotherapy into a gymnasium programme.
- Pool work can include flutter kick and progress to using flippers.

Stage V

Time Period: 5 - 6 months

Goal: Return to sport

Activity:

- Can begin open chain leg extensions for quadriceps at 5 months.
- Emphasis on plyometric and sport specific skills.
- Return to training.
- Sport specific skills and cardiovascular fitness must be excellent before return to
competition.
- Advise re specific modifications to return to sport e.g.;
o Football: start training in running shoes or short springs,
o Skiing: if racing, lower DIN setting on bindings; ski on blue runs only initially.