Enclosed you will find a copy of our Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Rehabilitation program and the data from our most recent follow-up study on patients who have undergone ACL surgery.
The semitendinosus (hamstring) graft is utilized because of its excellent strength and low harvest morbidity. The graft is precisely placed in the same location as the original ACL for optimal healing and mechanical function and for safer rehab. Significant injury to the meniscal cartilage is repaired if possible. This adds to the stability of the knee and diminishes the risk of osteoarthritis later.
Carefully staged rehab will achieve excellent results (see attached 5 year summary) while also emphasizing patient-initiated exercises. During the rehabilitation period, we expect that patients will return to 0-135° motion by 4 to 8 weeks. Closed kinetic chain activities and aerobic conditioning are emphasized with bracing to protect the ACL graft as it heals and matures.
Three basic precautions:
- 1. Focus on closed kinetic chain activities
- 2. Only fully extend, or “lock out” your knee with a slow, controlled quad recruitment, or controlled stretching: i.e. don’t “pop” your knee into full extension.
- 3. Avoid torsional/twisting/lateral stress during all rehab activity
Remember, cycling is super for rehab.
By following this plan, excellent results can be attained. Please contact us for further information at (435) 655-6600 or (801)743- 4500. Sincerely , Drs. Rosenberg and Cooley
 |
 |
