Supervised physiotherapy leads to a better return to physical activity after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction

Three-month functional training programme improves knee joint function in athletes post-ACL reconstruction surgery

OBJECTIVE

Rehabilitation and recovery duration following anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery play a pivotal role in restoring optimal knee functionality in athletes. This study aimed to explore the impact of a 3-month functional training programme aligned with enhanced recovery after surgery on recuperation subsequent to anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery.

DESIGN

A quasi-experimental study.

SUBJECTS

A cohort of 34 patients aged 14 to 24, who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery and adhered to enhanced recovery after surgery protocols during the perioperative period, were allocated to an experimental group and a control group according to their eligibility, capacity, and willingness to engage in the functional training programme.

METHODS

The participants in the experimental group underwent a 3-month regimen of functional training following anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery, whereas the control group followed a conventional recovery approach. Evaluations were conducted both prior to and following the 3-month recovery interval, utilizing the Y-Balance Test, Functional Movement Screening, and Isokinetic Knee Test.

RESULTS

Assessment outcomes of the Y-Balance Test, Isokinetic Knee Test, and Functional Movement Screening exhibited significant enhancement (p < 0.05) within the experimental group, as opposed to the control group. These findings underscore that those athletes who undertook the 3-month functional training regimen within the experimental group exhibited heightened dynamic balance capabilities, increased knee joint mobility, and enhanced stability compared with their counterparts in the control group.

CONCLUSION

Consequently, this underscores the efficacy of the 3-month functional training protocol aligned with enhanced recovery after surgery, as a means to effectively facilitate recuperation subsequent to anterior cruciate ligament reconstructive surgery.

Time to Reflect on Return to Sport Timing Following ACL Reconstruction

The time of return to sport following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a commonly discussed topic within clinical settings and the sports medicine literature. Emerging science has demonstrated protective effects of delaying the time of sport clearance on athlete reinjury. Though a single time cutoff is unlikely to be applicable for all athletes, large inconsistencies in the time of return to sport clearance are present in both the literature and within prescribed clinical protocols. A multitude of patient factors, such as perceived function, objective function, confidence, post-operative goals, among others, are vital for how athletes are progressed and released for sport participation. This Current Opinion article is constructed to discuss the time to return to sport after ACL reconstruction-factors that may influence timing decisions, how time is assessed within the scientific literature-and to promote discussion on this common topic within the sports medicine and athletic communities. The aim of the article is not to establish defined clinical time cutoffs for this population.

Nurse-Assisted Rehabilitation Protocols Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Despite significant advancements in surgical instruments and operation skills, short- and long-term outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) remain unsatisfactory, as many patients fail to return to their pre-injury level of sports. Inadequate ACL rehabilitation is the primary cause of poor outcomes. Nurses have become a crucial element in the rehabilitation process. Although there is no consensus regarding the optimal post-operative rehabilitation protocols, restoring muscle strength and neuromuscular control are consistently the primary goals. This literature review presents nurse-assisted rehabilitation protocols aiming at improving muscle strength and neuromuscular control. The review discusses postoperative rehabilitation, including home-based and supervised rehabilitation, open and closed kinetic chain exercises, eccentric and concentric training, blood flow restriction training, and plyometric training. Each training protocol has its benefits and drawbacks, and should be used cautiously in specific stages of rehabilitation. Neuromuscular training, such as neuromuscular electrical stimulation, neuromuscular control exercises, and vibration therapy, is considered crucial in rehabilitation.

The Interruption of Rehabilitation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction due to COVID-19 Restrictions: Association With Return-to-Sport Testing

CONTEXT

Among many unanticipated changes, access to rehabilitation was disrupted during the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. It is unclear how the timing of late-stage rehabilitation following anterior cruciate ligament with surgical reconstruction (ACLR) during the initial months of the pandemic affected outcomes. The purpose of this study was to compare physical performance outcome measures in patients following ACLR prior to and following COVID-19-related restrictions.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

METHODS

Data from patients who underwent return-to-sport testing following ACLR were analyzed based on date. December 2018 through March of 2020 (n = 66) was defined as the baseline period, and June through October 2020 (n = 27) was defined as the surveillance period. Outcome measures included single leg hop, triple hop, single leg vertical jump, and the lower-extremity functional test (LEFT). Linear mixed models were used to compare outcome measures before and after the onset of pandemic-related restrictions, clustered by sex and sport. A 1-way analysis of variance was performed to analyze the association between the number of virtual rehabilitation visits and outcome measures for subjects in the surveillance period.

RESULTS

Subjects in the surveillance period performed significantly worse in the LEFT (+7.88 s; 95% confidence interval, 1.11 to 14.66; P = .02) and single leg vertical jump on the unaffected side (-4.32 cm; 95% confidence interval, -7.44 to -1.19, P < .01), and performed better with single leg vertical jump symmetry (+6.3%; 95% confidence interval, 1.0% to 11.5%; P = .02). There were no other statistically significant differences. There was no significant association between having virtual rehabilitation visits and any of the performance outcomes.

CONCLUSIONS

There was a decline in physical performance outcome measures in patients following ACLR who did not attend regular in-person physical therapy sessions in the late-stage rehabilitation due to COVID-19-related restrictions. Other factors during this unique time period, such as access to training facilities or psychosocial stressors, may have also influenced outcomes.

The Role of Prehabilitation in Modern Esophagogastric Cancer Surgery: A Comprehensive Review

Simple Summary

Surgery is the only potentially curative treatment option for esophagogastric cancer. Although esophagectomy/gastrectomy remains associated with major surgical trauma and significant morbidity. Prehabilitation has emerged as a novel strategy to improve postoperative outcomes by preparing patients for a surgery-associated physiological challenge. We discuss current knowledge and the results of studies on the role of prehabilitation in esophagogastric cancer surgery.

Abstract

Esophagogastric cancer is among the most common malignancies worldwide. Surgery with or without neoadjuvant therapy is the only potentially curative treatment option. Although esophagogastric resections remain associated with major surgical trauma and significant postoperative morbidity. Prehabilitation has emerged as a novel strategy to improve clinical outcomes by optimizing physical and psychological status before major surgery through exercise and nutritional and psychological interventions. Current prehabilitation programs may be unimodal, including only one intervention, or multimodal, combining the benefits of different types of interventions. However, it still is an investigational treatment option mostly limited to clinical trials. In this comprehensive review, we summarize the current evidence for the role of prehabilitation in modern esophagogastric cancer surgery. The available studies are very heterogeneous in design, type of interventions, and measured outcomes. Yet, all of them confirm at least some positive effects of prehabilitation in terms of improved physical performance, nutritional status, quality of life, or even reduced postoperative morbidity. However, the optimal interventions for prehabilitation remain unclear; thus, they cannot be standardized and widely adopted. Future studies on multimodal prehabilitation are necessary to develop optimal programs for patients with esophagogastric cancer.

Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Recovery and Rehabilitation: A Systematic Review

BACKGROUND

The success of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction is influenced by effective rehabilitation. Previously published, comprehensive systematic reviews evaluating rehabilitation after ACL reconstruction have studied Level-I and II evidence published through 2012. Interval studies continue to evaluate the efficacy of various rehabilitative modalities.

METHODS

A total of 824 articles from 2012 to 2020 were identified using multiple search engines. Fifty Level-I or II studies met inclusion criteria and were evaluated using the Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) criteria and National Institutes of Health (NIH) Study Quality Assessment Tools.

RESULTS

Accelerated rehabilitation can be effective for patients with semitendinosus-gracilis grafts. Blood flow restriction (BFR) training with high-intensity exercise is not effective for ACL reconstruction recovery. Postoperative bracing does not offer any advantages or improve limb asymmetry. Cryotherapy is an effective analgesic when used perioperatively. The early introduction of open kinetic chain exercises may improve ACL reconstruction outcomes, and high-intensity plyometric exercise is not effective. Estimated pre-injury capacity (EPIC) levels may be more accurate than the Limb Symmetry Index (LSI) when using functional test results to predict reinjury rates, and hip external rotation strength may be the most accurate predictor of the hop test performance. Nerve blocks can provide postoperative analgesia with minimal complication risk. Neuromuscular electrical stimulation is effective when used independently and in combination with rehabilitative exercises. Psychological readiness should be evaluated both objectively and subjectively before allowing patients to safely return to sport. Electromyography biofeedback may help to regain muscular function, and whole-body vibration therapy can improve postural control. Supervised rehabilitation is more effective than unsupervised rehabilitation.

CONCLUSIONS

Various rehabilitative modalities following ACL reconstruction are effective in improving surgical outcomes and return-to-sport rates. Further evidence and improved study design are needed to further validate modalities including accelerated rehabilitation, BFR training, functional testing, and return-to-sport criteria.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE

Therapeutic Level II. See Instructions for Authors for a complete description of levels of evidence.

Effect of suspension training on neuromuscular function, postural control, and knee kinematics in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction patients

BACKGROUND

Suspension training (SET) is a method of neuromuscular training that enables the body to carry out active training under unstable support through a suspension therapy system. However, there have been few reports in the literature on the application of SET to anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) patients. It is not clear what aspects of the patient's function are improved after SET.

AIM

To investigate the effect of SET on the neuromuscular function, postural control, and knee kinematics of patients after ACLR surgery.

METHODS

Forty participants were randomized to an SET group or a control group. The SET group subjects participated in a SET protocol over 6 wk. The control group subjects participated in a traditional training protocol over 6 wk. Isokinetic muscle strength of the quadriceps and hamstrings, static and dynamic posture stability test, and relative translation of the injured knee were assessed before and after training.

RESULTS

The relative peak torque of the quadriceps and hamstrings in both groups increased significantly (P < 0.001), and the SET group increased by a higher percentage than those in the control group (quadriceps: P = 0.004; hamstrings: P = 0.011). After training, both groups showed significant improvements in static and dynamic posture stability (P < 0.01), and the SET group had a greater change than the control group (P < 0.05). No significant improvement on the relative translation of the injured knee was observed after training in either group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Our findings show that SET promotes great responses in quadriceps and hamstring muscle strength and balance function in ACLR patients.

Midterm Outcomes and Satisfaction After Hip Arthroscopy Are Associated With Postoperative Rehabilitation Factors

Background:

Arthroscopic hip-preservation surgery is commonly performed to address nonarthritic sources of hip pain in young, active individuals. However, there is little evidence to support postoperative rehabilitation protocols, including the most appropriate frequency and length of individual formal physical therapy sessions. There is also a lack of information to look at patients’ perceived value of their home program/self-practice in relation to outcomes.

Purpose:

To investigate postoperative rehabilitation factors after hip arthroscopy related to formal physical therapy and home program/self-practice and their correlation with patient outcomes and satisfaction.

Study Design:

Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3.

Methods:

A total of 125 patients who underwent hip arthroscopy for femoroacetabular impingement syndrome and a labral tear (75 men) were included. The mean age was 34.6 ± 14.4 years, and the mean follow-up time was 4.9 ± 1.6 years. Hip Outcome Score–Activities of Daily Living subscale (HOS-ADL) scores, overall satisfaction scores, and factors related to supervised physical therapy and home program/self-practice were collected. Correlations between continuous variables and differences in the length of individual formal physical therapy and patients’ rating of the importance of their home program/self-practice between those who would and those who would not undergo surgery again were assessed.

Results:

The frequency and length of individual formal physical therapy sessions were significantly correlated with postoperative HOS-ADL scores (r = 0.22, P = .014; and r = 0.24, P = .007, respectively) and level of satisfaction (r = 0.24, P = .007; and r = 0.21, P = .02, respectively). The length of individual formal physical therapy sessions was significantly greater in those who noted they would undergo surgery again (35.3 vs 26.3; P = .033). A significant correlation was identified between the rating of the importance of their home program/self-practice and postoperative HOS-ADL scores (r = 0.29; P = .001) and their level of satisfaction (r = 0.23; P = .009). There was a significant difference in the rating of the importance of their home program/self-practice between those who would undergo surgery again and those who would not (8.9 vs 7.8; P = .007).

Conclusion:

Surgeons and physical therapists should emphasize the value of home program/self-practice when it comes to outcomes and may want to encourage their patients to participate in more frequent, longer, formal physical therapy sessions.

Revision ACL Reconstruction in Adolescent Patients

Background:

High failure rates have been documented after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) in pediatric patients, and revision surgery is indicated due to high activity levels of children and adolescents.

Purpose:

To define trends in revision ACLR in patients who underwent initial ACLR at younger than 18 years.

Study Design:

Case series; Level of evidence, 4.

Methods:

An electronic medical record was used to retrospectively identify revision ACLR procedures performed by 2 surgeons between the years 2010 and 2016 in patients younger than 18 years at initial reconstruction. Descriptive information, intraoperative findings, surgical techniques, and rehabilitation data were recorded from initial and revision surgeries. Descriptive statistics were used.

Results:

A total of 32 patients (17 girls, 15 boys) met the inclusion criteria, with a mean age of 15.8 years at initial reconstruction. For initial reconstructions, 15 patients underwent transphyseal procedures, 3 patients underwent adult-type procedures using an anatomic reconstruction technique that did not take into account the physis, and 2 patients underwent partial intraepiphyseal procedures. Graft types included hamstring autograft (n = 17), allograft (n = 5), hybrid (n = 4), and bone–patellar tendon–bone autograft (BTB; n = 3). Average primary reconstruction graft diameter was 8.0 mm (girls, 7.72 mm; boys, 8.36 mm; P = .045). After initial reconstruction, 10 patients had postoperative protocol noncompliance, and 8 patients reported delayed recovery. Mean time to retear was 565 days (range, 25-1539 days). At revision, BTB autograft was used in 50% (n = 16), followed by hamstring autograph (31.3%; n = 10) and allograft (12.5%; n = 4); mean graft diameter was 9.05 mm. Chondral surgery was more common during revision (25% for revision vs 0% for index; P = .031). There were 4 patients who required staged reconstruction with bone grafting. At mean final follow-up of 29.5 months (SD, 22.2 months), there were 3 graft failures (9.4%) and 5 contralateral ACL ruptures (15.6%).

Conclusion:

Most patients with ACL graft failure were adequately treated with a single revision. Conversion from a soft tissue graft to a BTB autograft was the most common procedure. Infrequently, patients required staged reconstructions. Providers should have a high index of suspicion for associated intra-articular injuries resulting from graft failure in adolescent patients.

The Influence, Barriers to and Facilitators of Anterior Cruciate Ligament Rehabilitation Adherence and Participation: a Scoping Review

Background

Outcomes following anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction are considered poor. There are many factors which may influence patient outcomes. As such, the purpose of this review was to report on the influence, barriers to and facilitators of rehabilitation adherence and participation after ACL reconstruction, providing information to help clinicians and patients make quality decisions to facilitate successful rehabilitation.

Methods

A systematic search of five electronic databases was undertaken in identifying studies from inception to 18 July 2019. The search included English language articles reporting on the influence, barriers to and facilitators of adherence and participation in rehabilitation of patients who have undergone ACL reconstruction. Data extraction and synthesis of included studies were undertaken.

Results

Full text articles (n = 180) were assessed for eligibility following screening of titles and abstracts (n = 1967), yielding 71 studies for inclusion. Forty-four articles investigated ‘rehabilitation prescription and participation’ and 36 articles investigated ‘rehabilitation barriers and facilitators’. The results indicate that a moderately or minimally supervised rehabilitation program is at least as effective as a fully supervised high-frequency rehabilitation program, although a longer duration of supervised rehabilitation is associated with improvement in a multitude of functional outcomes. A number of psychological factors associated with rehabilitation adherence were also identified. The most commonly investigated concepts were self-motivation, athletic identity and social support. Patients perceived the therapeutic relationship, interaction with family and friends, self-motivation, fear of reinjury, organisation/lack of time and interpersonal comparison as the most common barriers to and facilitators of rehabilitation.

Conclusions

A longer duration of supervised rehabilitation is associated with an increased chance of meeting functional and return to sport criteria; however, the optimal supervised rehabilitation frequency is yet to be determined. Identification of the barriers to and facilitators of adherence and participation in ACL rehabilitation provides an opportunity for further research to be conducted to address personal, environmental and treatment-related factors, with the aim to improve rehabilitation outcomes.

Effects on Lower Extremity Neuromuscular Control Exercises on Knee Proprioception, Muscle Strength, and Functional Level in Patients with ACL Reconstruction

Objective

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of lower extremity motor control exercises on knee proprioception, muscle strength, and functional level in patients with anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACL-R).

Materials and Methods

Thirty-two of the 57 patients with ACL-R using tibialis anterior allografts were divided into two groups. Group I: lower extremity motor control exercises were added to the standard rehabilitation program. Group II: standard rehabilitation program was applied. Effects of lower extremity motor control exercises on quadriceps and hamstring muscles strength, knee joint position sense, and hop test were evaluated.

Results

There were no differences in muscle strength and endurance of the quadriceps and hamstring between the operative and nonoperative sides in Group I (p > 0.05) while there were significant differences in strength of the quadriceps and hamstring between the operative and nonoperative sides in Group II (p < 0.05). There were significant differences in the endurance of the quadriceps and hamstring and knee joint position sense at 15°, 45°, and 75° between the operative sides of the patients in both groups (p < 0.05).

Conclusions

The neuromuscular control exercises program was found to be more effective in reducing the difference in strength while the standard program was found to be more effective in reducing the difference in endurance between the operated knee and the other knee. This study revealed that neuromuscular control exercises should also be used to improve knee proprioception sense following ACL-R.