Physical Therapy Helps Patients Recover from ACL Surgery, Study Finds

A new study on recovering from a torn anterior cruciate ligament may encourage many patients to start physical therapy as soon as possible after their reconstructive surgery.

That’s because a team of orthopaedic surgeons found that patients who seek physical therapy right after surgery had good results, according to a review of 29 studies published in the Journal of Bone and Joint Surgery.
Bracing, however, did not seem to improve a patient’s outcome.
“The most important thing for ACL surgery patients is to start physical therapy early and rigorously,” said Dr. Rick Wright, professor and co-chief of the sports medicine department at the Washington University Department of Orthopaedic Surgery. “It can be difficult at first, but it’s worth it in terms of returning to sports and other activities.”
The ACL, which runs through the middle of the knee joint, is most commonly hurt when a person suddenly changes direction, stops quickly or lands incorrectly after a jump, according to a news release from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.
Other findings from the review include:

• Physical therapy should being within a few days of ACL surgery.
• Balance therapies may help patients.
• No vitamins or other supplements have been proven to have an effect on healing the ACL.
• While neuromuscular therapies are not harmful, their benefits require more study.
• More study is needed for accelerated rehabilitation.

Source: American Academy of Orthpaedic Surgeons

Alice Warchol is a freelance health writer and fitness instructor.

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