Influence of immobilization mode on postoperative clinical data a month after an ACL reconstruction in athletes admitted to rehabilitation center

Abstract

To determine the influence of immobilization mode on postoperative clinical data a month after an ACL reconstruction in athletes admitted to rehabilitation center. We analyzed post-operative data from a recorded cohort between 4 and 6 weeks after ACL ligamentoplasty. Were included patients with first ACL reconstruction on complete rupture in athlete came to the “Centre européen de rééducation du sportif” and aged at least 15 years 9 months. They follow a specialized rehabilitation protocol from 1st February 2008 to 30th October 2010. Clinical results were analyzed at hospital release between 4 and 6 weeks. The rehabilitation protocol was common to all patients. Clinical outcome parameters were quantitative (patella mobility, quadriceps atrophy, pain measurement by EVA, range of motion and scores: subjective IKDC and PPLP1) and qualitative (trophicity by measurement of the knee effusion and subquadricipital bursa flexibility, functional assessment quadriceps lock, walk evaluation). The patients were divided according to immobilization mode: orthosis articulated rigid or no brace. We have found no significant difference between each of three groups for each parameter studied ( P < 0.05). We do not have rupture in the three groups. There was not difference among the three groups for the qualitative and quantitative parameters, markers of decreasing inflammation and functional improvement at 4–6 week. In specialized center, orthosis establishment whatever the type or not put it, does not influence the early postoperative clinical results and evolution in patients with an ACL ligamentoplasty of the athlete. These results lead us to wonder about the value of the orthotics prescription, particularly articulated very expensive compared to simple rigid splints.