BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to compare the level of functional condition in patients who had rehabilitation with the comprehensive early rehabilitation program (CERP) following either single bundle (SB) or double bundle (DB) anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) using semitendinosus-gracilis tendon graft (ST-G) method. We hypothesized that 12 weeks after reconstruction followed by a rehabilitation program, there would be a difference in clinical results and functional activity between patients.

MATERIAL AND METHODS: This study included 94 patients who had rehabilitation with CERP after knee surgery for a knee injury from a recreational sport. There were 49 patients in Group 1 (mean age, 36.5 years) who had CERP after SB ACLR, and 45 patients in Group 2 (mean age, 35.6 years) who had CERP after DB ACLR. Functional condition was tested using the Lysholm Knee Scoring Scale, and knee stability was measured using KT-2000. The first examination was performed before CERP and the second examination was performed 12 weeks later.

RESULTS: The level of functional condition in both groups was similar before rehabilitation with CERP, with no significant difference (P<0.958) and was considered relatively low. In the second examination, 12 weeks after starting CERP, the patients improved in both groups. The improvement was larger in the SB ACLR Group 1 than in the DB ACLR Group 2. The difference was significant (P<0.005). However, the patients in Group 2 achieved better knee stability scores in the KT-2000 examination than the patients in Group 1. The difference was significant (P=0.035).

CONCLUSIONS: We found that the patients from both groups after 12 weeks of CERP achieved an improvement in stability and functional activity within normal limits. However, SB ACLR was more effective than DB ACLR in terms of the level of functionality achieved with CERP but was less effective in terms of knee stability.

Keywords: acute pain, Knee Injuries, Muscle Stretching Exercises, Physical Therapy Modalities, Range of Motion, Articular, Anterior Cruciate Ligament, Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries, anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction, Arthroscopy, Knee Joint, Tendons