Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rehabilitation

Abstract

On November 28, 1994 this 35 year old male tore his right anterior cruciate ligament while playing basketball. The semitendinosis tendon was used as a graft for the anterior cruciate ligament. Six weeks after accelerated rehabilitation, the patient was ambulating without an assistive device and also without a knee brace for activities of daily living.     

关节镜下前交叉韧带重建患者的护理

目的探讨关节镜下前交叉韧带重建术后正确的护理方法。方法回顾性分析并总结2007年10月至2010年12月济南军区总医院骨创伤外科收治的59例关节镜下前交叉韧带重建患者的临床资料。结果 59例患者均顺利拆线出院,术后膝关节功能恢复良好。结论围术期正确的护理与康复指导对患者膝关节的功能康复具有关键的作用。     

飞行人员膝关节镜下前交叉韧带重建术后的康复护理

目的评价飞行员膝关节镜下前交叉韧带重建术后的护理效果。方法对15例前交叉韧带重建术后的飞行员进行心理护理及膝关节功能锻炼指导。结果 15例患者全部康复出院,无术后感染、关节粘连等并发症发生,膝关节功能恢复良好,均顺利恢复飞行。结论成功的手术、术后心理护理和膝关节功能锻炼是使患者能够顺利康复并重返飞行员岗位的重要保证。     

神经肌肉训练在前交叉韧带重建术后康复中的应用进展

神经肌肉训练是前交叉韧带重建术后重要的康复训练方法,包括肌肉力量训练、平衡训练、灵敏性训练、近端控制训练和本体感觉训练。神经肌肉训练可改善前交叉韧带重建术后膝关节神经肌肉控制能力,增强膝关节稳定性,促进运动能力的恢复。康复训练效果受性别、年龄和训练内容的影响,还需针对不同患者和训练内容进一步探索,使术后康复训练达到最佳效果。     

Effective Attentional Focus Strategies after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Commentary

Individuals after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) have a high rate of reinjury upon return to competitive sports. Deficits in motor control may influence reinjury risk and can be addressed during rehabilitation with motor learning strategies. When instructing patients in performing motor tasks after ACLR, an external focus of attention directed to the intended movement effect has been shown to be more effective in reducing reinjury risk than an internal focus of attention on body movements. While this concept is mostly agreed upon, recent literature has made it clear that the interpretation and implementation of an external focus of attention within ACLR rehabilitation needs to be better described. The purpose of this commentary is to provide a clinical framework for the application of attentional focus strategies and guide clinicians towards effectively utilizing an external focus of attention in rehabilitation after ACLR.Level of Evidence5     

Psychological Patient-reported Outcomes Cannot Predict a Second Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury in Patients who Return to Sports after an Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

BackgroundPsychological patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are recommended for use in test batteries to aid in decision-making, regarding whether patients are well prepared to return to sports (RTS) after anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction. However, the values that should be regarded as “pass” or “fail” are still unclear.PurposeThis study aimed to identify cut-off values for three commonly used psychological PROs that could differentiate patients who suffer a second ACL injury from patients who do not within two years of RTS in patients after ACL reconstruction with respect to recovery of symmetrical quadriceps strength.Study designDiagnostic/prognostic studyMethodsDemographic data, isokinetic strength test data for quadriceps, as well as results for the ACL-Return to Sport after Injury scale (ACL-RSI), Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score (KOOS) Quality of Life, and Function in Sport and Recreation sub-scales, and the 18-item version of the Knee Self-Efficacy Scale (K-SES₁₈) were extracted from a registry. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were calculated for each PRO. Accuracy of the cut-offs was presented with two summary measures for the ROC: the area under the curve (AUC) and Youden index.ResultsIn total, 641 (355 men, 61%) patients (24.8 [SD 7.6] year old at ACL reconstruction) were included. The cut-off values were not able to differentiate patients who suffered a second ACL injury up to 24 months after RTS and ACL reconstruction from patients who did not. Additionally, achieving symmetrical quadriceps strength did not improve the cut-off psychometric properties.ConclusionSince cut-off values could not differentiate between patients who suffered a second ACL injury and those who did not, clinicians should not rely only on cut-off values or a single PRO of those analyzed in this study when making decisions on which patients are at risk of experiencing a second ACL injury when returning to sports after ACL reconstruction.Level of EvidenceLevel 3     

Return to Play after Posterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

Purpose of ReviewPosterior cruciate ligament injuries can be treated conservatively with a structured rehabilitation program or with surgical reconstruction. Treatment algorithms are based on a variety of factors including the patient’s presentation, physical exam, and desired level of activity. The goal is to return the patient to their athletic pursuits with a stable and pain-free knee. Return to play and activities should be individualized based on the patient’s injury and progression through rehabilitation. This article provides a review of the current treatments for posterior cruciate ligament injuries and the respective rehabilitation protocols, outcomes after each treatment option, and specific return to play criteria.Recent FindingsCurrent research shows excellent outcomes and return to play with conservative treatment of isolated posterior cruciate ligament injuries. Return to play algorithms stress the importance of quadriceps strengthening throughout the recovery process and emphasize inclusion of plyometrics and sport-specific training.SummaryRehabilitation plays a critical role in the outcome after posterior cruciate ligament injury and the ability to return to athletics. The primary focus of post-injury or post-operative rehabilitation is to restore function, as it relates to range of motion, strength, and proprioception, while mitigating swelling and pain. The patients’ desired sport and level of play dictate return to play timelines. The literature supports the use of non-operative management of isolated PCL injuries in athletes and non-athletes with excellent functional and patient-reported outcomes.     

自体四股半腱肌肌腱重建前交叉韧带的功能康复

目的；评价关节镜下用半腱肌肌腱和微型纽扣钢板重建前交叉韧带（ACL）的疗效，并探讨激进康复训练对手术疗效的影响。方法：膝关节前交叉韧带损伤患者32例，均采用关节镜下自体四股半腱肌肌腱和微型纽扣钢板重建ACL，术前后按激进康复方案和本体感觉强化训练。结果：32例患者术后早期均未发生严重并发症。经平均13个月随访，32例患者Lysholm和Gillquist膝关节评分由术前的35-80分提高至78-100分（P〈0．05），其中23例恢复到损伤前运动水平，9例运动水平较前有所下降。结论；关节镜下半腱肌肌腱和微型纽扣钢板重建ACL手术创伤小、出血少，术后恢复快，临床效果满意;配合系统的激进康复训练可明显缩短康复时间，更快地获得膝关节良好的功能。     

Single-Leg Vertical Hop Test Detects Greater Limb Asymmetries Than Horizontal Hop Tests After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction in NCAA Division 1 Collegiate Athletes

BackgroundKnee function deficits may persist after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). Return to sport (RTS) testing batteries assess recovery after ACLR and can guide RTS progression, but the ideal test components are debatable. The single leg vertical hop for height (SLVH) test using a commercially available jump mat may provide a valuable assessment of knee function.Hypothesis/PurposeThe purpose of this study was to compare the limb symmetry index (LSI) of SLVH to horizontal hop testing in a cohort of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 collegiate athletes after ACLR. The hypothesis was the SLVH would elicit significantly lower LSI than horizontal hop tests.Study designCross-Sectional StudyMethodsEighteen National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division 1 collegiate athletes (7 males, 11 females) at 7.33 ± 2.05 months after ACLR were included in this retrospective study. LSI was calculated for single hop for distance (SHD), triple hop for distance (THD), cross-over hop for distance (CHD), timed 6-meter hop (T6H), and SLVH. A repeated measures ANOVA was performed to identify differences in LSI for each test. Spearman’s Rho correlation coefficient was calculated to examine the relationship between LSIs for each test.ResultsThe LSI for SLVH (84.48% ± 11.41%) was significantly lower than LSI for SHD (95.48 ± 8.02%, p = 0.003), THD (94.40 ± 3.70%, p = 0.002), CHD (95.85 ± 7.00, p = 0.007), and T6H (97.69 ± 6.60%, p = 0.001). The correlation of LSI between SLVH and the horizontal hop tests was weak and non-significant for SHD (r_s = 0.166, p = 0.509), CHD (r_s = 0.199, p = 0.428), and T6H (r_s = 0.211, p = 0.401) and moderate and non-significant for THD (r_s = 0.405, p = 0.096).ConclusionsIndividuals after ACLR had lower LSI on the SLVH than on horizontal hop tests and weak to moderate correlations between the tests suggest SLVH detects performance deficits not identified by the horizontal hop tests.Level of evidence3     

Periodization in Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rehabilitation: A Novel Framework

More than 250,000 anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries occur each year in the USA, and approximately 65% of these injuries undergo reconstructive surgery. Appropriate rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction can yield predictably good outcomes, with return to previous levels of activity and high knee function. At present, periodization is used at all levels of sports training. Whether conceptualized and directed by coaches, or by athletes themselves, competitors structure their training in a cyclic fashion, enabling athletes to best realize their performance goals. In practical application, sport physical therapists use periodization: postoperative “protocols” serve as rudimentary forms of periodization, albeit implemented over shorter time frames than that typically employed in preparation for competition. An ACL injury should not be considered a “simple” musculoskeletal pathology with only local mechanical or motor dysfunctions. Together with the psychological trauma and reduction in physical capacity, there is a cascade of events, including neurological insult to the central nervous system and reduction in afferences to the sensorimotor system. Rehabilitation should consider all these issues, and periodization would allow to better define and to plan aims and objectives to return athletes to their sport. Technological resources including advanced neuroimaging methods, virtual reality for injury risk screening and return to sport assessment, and interactive artificial reality-based neuromuscular training methods offer new approaches and tools to address this important biomedical problem. The cost and availability of many of these technologies will continue to decrease, providing greater availability, scientific rigor, and ultimately, utility for cost-effective and data-driven assessments.     

前交叉韧带重建方法的生物力学研究

【目的】比较不同方法重建前交叉韧带的生物力学性能。【方法】应用INSTRON8032电液伺服疲劳试验机分别测试人膝关节前交叉韧带正常、切断及单隧道单束、双束和三束重建后的胫骨负荷前移和韧带负荷应变。双束和三束重建时采用浅槽技术固定移植韧带。【结果】前交叉韧带断裂后胫骨的负荷前移明显加大,重建后向正常时回归;比较分析韧带的负荷应变,浅槽技术单隧道双束重建后的负荷位移和负荷应变更接近正常。【结论】前交叉韧带损伤后应该修复,从生物力学角度看,浅槽技术单隧道双束重建最接近正常。     

Dynamic Restraint Capacity of the Hamstring Muscles Has Important Functional Implications After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Bryant AL, Creaby MW, Newton RU, Steele JR. Dynamic restraint capacity of the hamstring muscles has important functional implications after anterior cruciate ligament injury and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction.

Objective

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation between knee functionality of anterior cruciate ligament deficient (ACLD) and anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) patients and hamstring antagonist torque generated during resisted knee extension.

Design

Cross-sectional.

Setting

Laboratory based.

Participants

Male ACLD subjects (n=10) (18–35y) and 27 matched males who had undergone ACLR (14 patella tendon [PT] grafts and 13 combined semitendinosus/gracilis tendon grafts).

Interventions

Not applicable.

Main Outcome Measures

Knee functionality was rated (0- to 100-point scale) by using the Cincinnati Knee Rating System. Using electromyography data from the semitendinosus (ST) and biceps femoris muscles, we created a mathematical model to estimate the opposing torque generated by the hamstrings during isokinetic knee extension in 10° intervals from 80° to 10° knee flexion.

Results

Pearson product-moment correlations revealed that more functional ACLD subjects generated significantly (P<.05) higher hamstring antagonist torque throughout knee extension. In contrast, more functional PT subjects produced significantly lower hamstring antagonist torque at 80° to 70° knee flexion, whereas no significant associations were found between hamstring antagonist torque and knee functionality for the ST/gracilis tendon subjects.

Conclusions

An increased hamstring antagonist torque generated by the more functional ACLD subjects, reflective of increased hamstring contractile force, is thought to represent a protective mechanism to compensate for mechanical instability. The restoration of anterior knee stability through ACLR negates the need for augmented hamstring antagonist torque.     

Twelve-Week Quadriceps Strength as A Predictor of Quadriceps Strength At Time Of Return To Sport Testing Following Bone-Patellar Tendon-Bone Autograft Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

BackgroundRestoration of quadriceps strength following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R) continues to challenge both patients and clinicians. Failure to adequately restore quadriceps strength has been linked to decreased patients’ self-reported outcomes and an increased risk for re-injury. Early identification of quadriceps strength deficits may assist in tailoring early interventions to better address impairments.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between early (12 weeks following ACL-R) isokinetic peak torque and isokinetic peak torque at time of return to sport (RTS) testing.Study DesignCohort StudyMethodsA total of 120 participants (males = 55; females =65) were enrolled in the study (age = 16.1±1.4 yrs; height = 1.72±10.5 m; mass = 70.7±16.3 kg). All participants were level 1 or 2 cutting and pivoting sport athletes who underwent a primary bone-patellar tendon-bone autograft ACL-R. Participants were tested at two time points: 12 weeks following surgery and again at time of RTS testing. A linear regression model was carried out to investigate the relationship between age, sex, and isokinetic peak torque at 12 weeks following ACL-R and isokinetic peak torque at time of RTS testing.ResultsWhen 12-week isokinetic peak torque was entered first for the hierarchy regression analysis, this factor was predictive of the peak torque at the time of RTS testing, F(1, 118) = 105.6, p < 0.001, R² = 0.472, indicating that the 12-week quadriceps strength accounted for 47% of the variance in the quadriceps strength at the time of RTS testing. When age and sex were added in the regression analysis, both factors only added 0.8% of variance for the quadriceps strength at the time of RTS testing.ConclusionIsokinetic peak torque at 12 weeks following surgery was shown to be a significantly strong predictor (47%) for isokinetic quadriceps strength recovery at time of RTS. This finding underscores the importance of early restoration of quadriceps strength and that while non-modifiable factors such as sex and age are important, early restoration of quadriceps strength most strongly influences late stage quadriceps strength.Level of Evidence3     

关节镜下四股胭绳肌腱重建前交叉韧带

【目的】探讨关节镜下应用自体四股胭绳肌腱重建膝关节交叉韧带（ACL）的手术方法和疗效。【方法】关节镜下34例患者以自体胭绳肌腱作为ACL的重建替代物,两端分别应用纽扣钢板和可吸收螺钉固定。【结果】所有患者均得到平均10（6～20个月）个月的随访,Lachman试验除3例阳性外,其余均为阴性。所有患者轴移试验均为阴性。Lyshlom膝关节功能评分从术前的41．79±9．23分提高至术后90．59±15．33分,手术前后比较差异有显著性（P〈0．05）。【结论】关节镜下自体胭绳肌腱移植重建前交叉韧带具有创伤小、并发症少等的优点,是恢复膝关节稳定性的可靠方法。     

关节镜下LARS人工韧带重建前、后交叉韧带的手术配合

目的探讨膝关节镜下韧带增强重建系统（ligament advancedreinfo rcement system,LARS）人工韧带重建前、后交叉韧带的手术配合与护理措施。方法回顾性分析138例患者膝关节镜下应用LARS人工韧带重建前、后交叉韧带的手术配合及术前、术中、术后的护理要点。结果手术均获成功,手术时间为0.5-1.5h,平均（0.9±0.2）h。术后无一例患者发生感染,关节稳定性恢复。术后2个月,Lyshol m膝关节评分由术前的（44.6±1.36）分提高至（82.8±2.46）分,差异有统计学意义（t=2.882,P〈0.01）。随访6-36个月,无一例＂打软腿＂,关节交锁症状及关节痛消失,关节活动范围正常,X线摄片见内固定物无移位;5例患者关节活动时有弹响,但不影响功能。结论关节镜下用LARS人工韧带重建前交、后交叉韧带手术创伤小、手术时间短,有助于患者早期功能锻炼,临床效果好。术中严格执行无菌操作、熟悉手术步骤、准确配合手术,完善术前准备及术后维护是手术成功的关键。     

The Role of Fatigue in Return to Sport Testing Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

BackgroundFatigue may play a role in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury, but has not been incorporated into objective test batteries for return to sport decisions following ACL reconstruction (ACLR) surgery. The effect of fatigue on muscle function and performance following surgery and rehabilitation has been poorly studied.Purpose/HypothesisThe purpose of this study was to assess the effect of fatigue on performance of various hop tests used in clinical rehabilitation settings by examining LSI scores. The authors hypothesized that participants will have worse limb symmetry index scores following the fatigue protocol and that the operative limb (ACLR) will have a greater decline in function than the non-operative limb (CON).Study DesignCross-Sectional Study.MethodsParticipants (n=21 [Male = 15, Female = 6]; AGE = 24.6 ± 9.3) were at least six months post ACLR and in rehabilitation. Testing was performed over two separate sessions in either a non-fatigued (NFS) or fatigued state (FS). In the FS, individuals performed a series of exercises to exhaust muscular endurance, strength, and power systems, after which they performed as battery of seven hop tests (single hop for distance, triple hop for distance, crossover hop for distance, 6-meter timed hop, lateral rotation hop for distance, medial rotation hop for distance, and vertical jump for height). A 2(limb) x 2(time) ANOVA was used to compare limbs between each state.ResultsDifferences between limbs (CON vs ACLR) were observed for all hop tests in the NFS whereby the ACLR limb was observed to have reduced performance (↓5.4-9.1%, p <0.05). When tested in the FS, significant differences in performance between limbs remained for only the crossover (↓4.9%), medial rotation (↓7.1%), lateral rotation (↓5.5%), and vertical hop (↓10.0%)(p<0.05). When comparing the NFS and FS states, only the CON limb was observed to have significant decreases in performance of the Triple Hop (↓7.4%), Crossover (↓8.7%), and Lateral Rotation (↓5.2%)(p<0.05).ConclusionsFollowing ACL reconstruction, there appears to be a greater loss in jump performance in the CON limb in the FS. These findings suggest it may be crucial to consider and assess the endurance of both limbs rather than just the ACLR limb when determining readiness for return to play.Level of EvidenceLevel 3     

康复训练对前交叉韧带体部部分损伤作用临床观察

目的:介绍前交叉韧带体部部分损伤的康复训练方法,总结其近期临床疗效。方法:对32例前交叉韧带体部部分损伤的患者进行1年以上系统的康复指导,按照Lysholm膝关节功能评分标准,康复前膝关节功能评分为51±18．09分。康复内容包括肌力、活动度、本体感受器训练和肌肉牵张训练等方面。通过膝关节功能评分总结这种训练方法的可行性和效果。结果:康复后6个月膝关节功能评分为74．5±14．49分,康复后12个月膝关节功能评分为75．56±14．75分。统计学分析显示,康复训练前后评分比较有显著差异。结论:对于不合并有严重后内、后外侧韧带复合结构损伤的前交叉韧带体部部分损伤,采用该方法进行康复训练是切实可行且有效的。     

Diagnosis of Simultaneous Acute Ruptures of the Anterior Cruciate Ligament and Posterior Cruciate Ligament Using Point-of-Care Ultrasound in the Emergency Department

Background

Patients with acute anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) and posterior cruciate ligament (PCL) injuries from sport-related activities are frequently seen in the emergency department (ED). However, knee instability tests are known to show variable sensitivity and specificity. These tests would also have limited functionality in patients with severe pain and swelling in the knee.

Ultrasound Appearances of Complications After Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Anterior cruciate ligament tears are among the most frequent knee injuries. Surgical treatment is mandatory in active athletes to prevent meniscal tears and early joint degenerative changes. Anterior cruciate ligament arthroscopic reconstruction (ACLAR) is considered the preferred procedure, allowing a successful functional restoration and a prompt return to sports practice. Postsurgical complications are infrequent and are mainly assessed clinically and by magnetic resonance imaging. Although ultrasound can only evaluate the outer aspect of the knee, it can detect several ACLAR complications. The aim of this pictorial essay is to present the ultrasound appearances of a wide spectrum of ACLAR complications.