FINAL PROJECT: Abstract and Reader's Reponse > Patient Guide: Recovery from ACL Reconstruction Surgery
R -- is there are middle ground for this reader? As in, test with aggressive rehabilitation and then step back in the conditions of pain and swelling?
In some ways, the differentiated handouts you provide might take care of this? Perhaps older people or inactive people need the slower routine?
See if you can address this in the prologue just before your handouts. And, a PT can monitor this, right?
In some ways, the differentiated handouts you provide might take care of this? Perhaps older people or inactive people need the slower routine?
See if you can address this in the prologue just before your handouts. And, a PT can monitor this, right?
December 10, 2015 |
Marybeth Shea
Marybeth Shea
This patient guide is geared to help collegiate athletes, somewhat active middle-aged patients, and inactive elderly patients with torn ACLs that have been reconstructed or are about to undergo ACL reconstruction surgery. ACL tears have become increasingly common when participating in several types of physical activities that causes one to suddenly change directions after your foot has been firmly planted. In the U.S. alone, there are between 100,000 and 200,000 ACL ruptures a year and people really want to be able to return to normal activity as soon as possible because of the need to return to work, participate in social activity, and return to athletic competition. The initial rehabilitation phases post-operation are vital to recovery without an excessive build-up of scar tissue instead of just resting until all pain has gone away. Additionally, aggressive rehabilitation exercises have become more beneficial for speeding up recovery for patients that have had ACL reconstruction surgery. The purpose of the aggressive rehabilitation in phases is to activate and strengthen the muscles that weaken and atrophy post-surgery without reinjuring the area. For example, your quadriceps, hamstrings, gluteus, and calf muscles atrophy because immobility of the injured leg so developing these muscles as soon as possible after surgery is important for movement. The main purpose of this patient guide is to provide rehabilitation information to patients that have had ACL reconstruction surgery to increase the possibilities of a fast recovery.
WC: 236
Reader’s Profile:
The difficult reader would be an orthopedic surgeon that has been performing ACL reconstruction surgery for years and is skeptical about the aggressive nature of rehabilitation post-surgery.
Reader’s Response:
ACL reconstruction surgery is a major procedure that will leave the patient with pain and discomfort, as well as swelling and bruising. I believe that it is very important to control the swelling and inflammation in the knee before increasing activity or mobility of the knee. Patients will recover, but for such a debilitating injury, taking time to recover is more important than jumping into aggressive exercises and causing extreme discomfort, inflammation, and possibly reinjuring the ACL. Physical therapists can work with each patient at their own pace to help the patient recover. I am skeptical of these aggressive exercises at such an early time after surgery, especially when the same goals can be reached at a later date with less risk to reinjure the area.