Abstract

BACKGROUND: We investigated whether the duration of postoperative physiotherapy supervision by a physiotherapist affects clinical outcome, speed, and agility in males 8 months after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR).

MATERIAL AND METHODS: From a group of 248 patients 8 months after ACLR, we used strict exclusion criteria to identify 2 groups of men who were well trained and frequently participated in sports pre-injury, with different durations of postoperative physiotherapy supervision: Group I (n=15; x=27.40 weeks) and Group II (n=15; x=8.07 weeks). Group III (n=30) were controls. Clinical evaluation (manual ligament assessment, knee joint and thigh circumferences, range of motion), pain assessment, and run test with maximal speed and change-of-direction manoeuvres, was performed.

RESULTS: No clinically significant abnormalities were noted in any studied groups in terms of clinical and pain assessments. The time of the run test was significantly increased in Group II (x=23.77 s) compared with Group I (x=21.76 s) and Group III (x=21.15 s). The average speed was significantly reduced in Group II (x=2.05 m*s–1) compared with Group I (x=2.22 m*s–1) and Group III (x=2.27 m*s–1). The duration of physiotherapy supervision was significantly negatively correlated with the time results of the run test (r=–0.353; p=0.046) and positively correlated with the average speed (r=0.360; p=0.049).

CONCLUSIONS: Both shorter and longer duration of postoperative physiotherapy supervision resulted in successful clinical outcomes in terms of studied features in males 8 months after ACLR. Nevertheless, longer physiotherapy supervision was more effective for improving speed and agility to the level of healthy individuals.

Keywords: Anterior Cruciate Ligament, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, Physical Therapist Assistants