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Avoid post operative bracing to reduce ACL rerupture rates

  • Original Article • KNEE - ARTHROSCOPY
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European Journal of Orthopaedic Surgery & Traumatology Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

Purpose

It has been quoted that the graft is more prone to injury in the early stages of ligamentization between 3 and 6 months when the muscles are weak and compliance with post-op protocol is waning. Purpose of this study was to evaluate the functional outcome of avoiding postoperative bracing following ACL reconstruction and early enhanced recovery protocol on the reinjuries of graft.

Methods

Thirty-two consecutive patients who underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction by a single surgeon in the same specialist center between October 2015 and May 2017 were included in the study. All the patients were educated regarding rehabilitation before the index surgery and preoperative quadriceps exercises had been initiated. Rehabilitation was undertaken as per a standard protocol with emphasis on early mobilization. No brace was used. Patients were followed up between 3 months and 1 year. Lysholm knee scores were evaluated at 6 and 12 months postoperatively.

Results

No failures were noted (failure defined as instability, stiffness or persistent pain). The average Lysholm knee score at 6 months was 88 and at 12 months period was 91. No statistical significance (P > 0.00001) was noted in the scores between braced and unbraced at 1 year.

Conclusion

ACL rehabilitation without a knee brace can indirectly prevent rerupture and is a cheaper as well as a safer method with better outcomes.

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Acknowledgements

We are grateful for the help and support of all the staff from Department of Orthopaedics and Department and Physiotherapy from KMC Hospital, Mangalore, Karnataka, India, in managing these cases resulting in a good outcome.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedics, KMC Hospital, Mangalore, India

    Arjun Ajith Naik & Yogeesh D. Kamat

  2. Department of Physiotherapy, KMC Hospital, Mangalore, India

    Bishwaranjan Das

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  1. Arjun Ajith Naik
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  2. Bishwaranjan Das
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Correspondence to Arjun Ajith Naik.

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All human and animal studies have been approved by the appropriate ethics committee and have therefore been performed in accordance with the ethical standards laid down in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. Specific national laws have been observed.

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Naik, A.A., Das, B. & Kamat, Y.D. Avoid post operative bracing to reduce ACL rerupture rates. Eur J Orthop Surg Traumatol 29, 1743–1747 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-019-02521-4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00590-019-02521-4

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