Arthrofibrosis in acute anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: The effect of timing of reconstruction and rehabilitation

Abstract

Arthrofibrosis is a potential complication of acute ACL reconstruction. Arthrofibrosis prevents the patient from regaining full range of motion, particularly the terminal 5° of full extension, postoperatively. We did a retro spective study of 169 acute ACL reconstructions in a population of young athletes (average age, 22 years). We sought to determine the optimal time to perform acute ACL reconstruction with respect to arthrofibrosis and the effects of an accelerated versus conventional rehabilitation program. The short-term results were evaluated by range of motion measurements and 13 week Cybex scores. Patients whose ligaments were reconstructed within the 1 st week after injury (Group I) had a statistically significant (P < 0.05) increased inci dence of arthrofibrosis (limited extension, scar tissue) over patients who had ACL reconstruction delayed 21 days or more (Group III). At 13 weeks after the recon struction procedure, Group III patients scored an aver age of 70% (compared to 51 % for Group I, P < 0.05) on the Cybex evaluation. They also showed a trend toward more flexion of the knee as well as near full extension. Patients who had an ACL reconstruction between 8 and 21 days after injury (Group II) had a similar incidence of arthrofibrosis as Group I when they followed a conventional rehabilitation program postop eratively. However, only a small number of cases (ap proximately 4%) of Group II patients who followed an accelerated postoperative rehabilitation program had any arthrofibrosis—an observation we also made in the Group III patients. The evidence suggests that delaying reconstructive surgery at least 3 weeks from time of acute ACL injury will result in earlier return of strength and, more importantly, a significantly decreased inci dence of arthrofibrosis.