Effects of an Accelerated Rehabilitation Program after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction with Combined Semitendinosus-Gracilis Autograft and a Ligament Augmentation Device

Abstract

Forty patients with anterior cruciate reconstructions using semitendinosus and gracilis autografts and a liga ment augmentation device were reviewed at a minimum of 20 months postoperatively to determine if an accel erated rehabilitation program was detrimental to inter mediate follow-up results. The rehabilitation program included immediate full weightbearing, using crutches as aids for 2 weeks only, and a Generation II rehabili tation brace set at full range of motion for 2 weeks fol lowed at 2 weeks by bicycle riding and strengthening exercises. Return to sports was allowed at 4 months for nonpivoting sports and at 6 months for level 1 sports involving pivoting. Thirty-seven patients were available for followup. At followup, three grafts were determined to be nonfunctional (KT-1000 arthrometer testing indi cating >4 mm of side-to-side difference). The other 34 patients had good or excellent results, with all returning to their preinjury levels of sport with a brace. Early ac celerated rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with semitendinosus and gracilis tendon autograft and a ligament augmentation device does not seem to affect the results adversely. Results in this se ries were as good as or better than other series using the same reconstructive technique.