THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC DID NOT AFFECT REHABILITATION FOLLOWING ACL RECONSTRUCTION

Abstract

ABSTRACT Objective: To assess postoperative rehabilitation patterns in patients who underwent Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A retrospective study of patients who underwent primary isolated ACLR between February 2019 and July 2020. Two different periods were evaluated. The “COVID group” represents the period from February 1st to July 1st of 2020 and the “non-COVID group” represents the equivalent period in 2019. Rehabilitation features and the effect of the COVID-19 pandemic on rehabilitation habits were assessed. Patient outcome scores were assessed using the Lysholm, Tegner, and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) questionnaires. Subjective satisfaction, post-operative complications, and subsequent surgeries were recorded. Results: The groups did not differ significantly in demographics, functional outcome scores, or subjective satisfaction. There was no significant difference in rehabilitation patterns between the groups. In the COVID group, only one patient (4%) reported participation in online physiotherapy. Conclusions: There were no differences in the post-operative rehabilitation patterns, including duration, length, and environment of the training, between patients who underwent primary isolated ACLR during the COVID-19 pandemic and those who underwent the treatment in the preceding non-COVID year. Patient outcome scores, subjective satisfaction, and subsequent surgery rates did not differ between the groups. Level of evidence IV; Therapeutic studies - investigation of treatment results.