Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injury: Treatment and Rehabilitation. Current Perspectives and Trends

Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to evaluate the procedures used by knee surgeons in Brazil for treating and rehabilitating anterior cruciate ligament injuries. Methods: A questionnaire consisting of 21 closed questions was developed, addressing topics relating to treatment and rehabilitation after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. The questionnaire was applied to Brazilian knee surgeons during the three days of the 42nd Brazilian Congress of Orthopedics and Traumatology in 2010. Results: A total of 226 surgeons filled out the questionnaire completely. The most commonly used types of graft were hamstrings tendons and the central third of the ipsilateral patellar tendon, which were used by 82.3% and 53.5% of the sample, respectively. The technique of reconstruction with a single transtibial band was the first preference and was used by 66.4% of the participants. A period of 1 to 4 weeks between injury and surgical procedure was considered ideal by most participants (52.65%). Complaints from patients that the knee was ‘giving way’ or unstable and presence of a positive pivot shift maneuver were the most decisive factors considered in making the decision to operate the patient. Patient satisfaction and absence of complaints of instability during the postoperative period were the criteria deemed to be most important for the surgery to be considered a success. Conclusions: There are clearly evolving trends in treating and rehabilitating the anterior cruciate ligament in Brazil. However, more prospective controlled studies are needed in order to evaluate the clinical and scientific benefits of these trends.

Short term evaluation of the hamstring graft diameter after ACL reconstruction

“…The study population examined in this study was sufficient to obtain significant results. The majority of the patients were male, which is consistent with the literature describing ACL rupture epidemiology (1,4,22). There was no difference in measured graft diameter in terms of the side of operation.…”

Anterior cruciate ligament and meniscal injuries in sports: incidence, time of practice until injury, and limitations caused after trauma

“…Injuries to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) are common in sports in which the knee performs rotation as in soccer, basketball, and skiing, 4 totaling more than 250,000 cases per year 5, 6, 7, 8…”

Reconstruction of the medial patellofemoral ligament in cases of acute traumatic dislocation of the patella: current perspectives and trends in Brazil

“…Studies have recently been conducted in Brazil, but with the aim of evaluating the treatment methods used in cases of lateral ankle sprains, anterior cruciate ligament injuries and unicompartmental knee arthrosis. 10 , 11 , 12 In evaluating the regional frequencies of participating orthopedists, we noted that the southeastern region predominated, even though this study was conducted in the northeastern region (in Salvador). We believe that is may have occurred because there are greater numbers of knee surgery specialists in that region.…”