Indian Journal of Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy - An International Journal
  • Year: 2013
  • Volume: 7
  • Issue: 4

Simple and effective Rehabilitation Programme (SERP) for Patients Undergoing Arthroscopic Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) Reconstruction in Indian Scenario

  • Author:
  • S M Shishir1, M Manoj Abraham2, Nikhil Joseph Martin3, R Kanagasabai4, James J Gnanadoss5
  • Total Page Count: 7
  • DOI:
  • Page Number: 222 to 228

1Assistant Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry

2In Charge, Department of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry

3Post-graduate, Department of Orthopaedics, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry

4Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry

5Director-Principal, Professor, Department of Orthopaedics, Pondicherry Institute of Medical Sciences, Pondicherry

Online published on 25 November, 2013.

Abstract

Rehabilitation after surgery for an Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction is a lengthy process. Return to sports and other activities take months. There are many variations of ACL rehabilitation. Most of the protocols are extensive and do not suite the Indian scenario where the compliance of the patient and cost of physiotherapy are the major limiting factors.

Hence, we decided to develop and validate a Simple and Effective Rehabilitation Programme (SERP) for patients undergoing ACL reconstruction in our scenario.

Fifty patients with isolated ACL tear with or without partial menisectomy were selected for this systematic review from November 2010 to July 2012. All 50 patients underwent arthroscopic ipsilateral quadruple hamstring tendon reconstruction (semitendinosis and gracilis double folded) using endobutton (Smith and Nephew) for femoral fixation and bio absorbable interference screw for tibial graft fixation. They were subjected to SERP. SERP is a home based programme consisting of 5 phases spanning over 6 months. Test- retest was done using Modified Cincinnati Rating system Questionnaire on a prospective basis. The results were than analysed.

Applying the Modified Cincinnati Rating System Questionnaire, results were tabulated. 84% of the patients had excellent results and 16% had good results at the end of 3 months. At the end of 6 months, 94% of patients had excellent results and 6% had good results. The result remained the same after 1 year of follow-up. There were no fair or poor results.

SERP is a home based programme which is understandable, convenient and reliable for patients who are undergoing arthroscopic ACL reconstruction; especially in our setting with excellent functional outcome.

Keywords

SERP (Simple and Effective Rehabilitation Programme), Anterior Cruciate Ligament, Modified Cincinnati Rating System questionnaire