An Innovative Physiotherapeutic Approach Towards the Rehabilitation of a Post-operative Case of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction - A Case Report

Abstract

Anterior Cruciate Ligament injuries are one of the commonest injuries related to the knee joint. They can either be a ligament tear or a ligament sprain. They usually occur due to landing from a jump incorrectly, rapidly changing the direction of motion, sports injuries (direct collisions), and stopping suddenly. This type of injury requires conservative treatment and/or Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction (ACLR) surgery. In both cases, physiotherapy has been proven to be useful in the treatment and rehabilitation of the condition. Physiotherapy treatment aids in relieving the symptoms, strengthening, endurance and gait training. The patient came to the hospital with the complaints of there being a difficulty in walking without support. The pain was present as the patient tried to bend his right knee, the swelling was also present on the right knee and there was a restricted range of motion. All these complaints were present for 15 days. The patient was a post-operative case of ACLR. An X-ray and MRI scan showed these results. Physiotherapy interventions included educating the patient, reducing the swelling, reducing the pain using electrotherapy modalities, Range of Motion exercises for the right knee, strengthening and endurance exercises, and teaching normal gait pattern. The patient eventually gained an improved range of right knee movement, decreased pain, swelling and tenderness, and learned to walk with a normal gait pattern. The questionnaires and tests carried out pre and post-treatment showed a positive result.