Marie;
Lately our ACL patients have gone beyond any "protocol" in my 1 1/2
yr old books. They come to us within 1 week... immobilizer only...
and crutches just until able to walk painfree...usually both gone by
the end of the 2nd week.
The MAIN concern is full extension including full hyperextension...
once this is achieved... (flexion coming more slowly over the next
few weeks to full usually 3-5 weeks) we start strengthening with open
and closed chain to patients tolerance. The main thing to avoid is
tendonitis with over -zealousness. Anyway, these patients have often
been done with PT by 6-8 weeks. Now, I have not had any professional
sport persons, who of course would require more intense follow-up,
but my patients have returned to skiing, (6 months), tennis and
hiking. Basically, I am amazed at what I have been seeing and there
really are no warnings except avoid twisting/ torquing activity (mini-
tramp, jumping) in early stages. Extension seems to be the key.
Hope this helps. Amy
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