Rehabilitation after Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Prospective, Randomized, Double-Blind Comparison of Programs Administered over 2 Different Time Intervals

Abstract

Anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction with a bone-patellar tendon-bone graft followed by either accelerated or nonaccelerated rehabilitation produces the same increase of anterior knee laxity. Both programs had the same effect in terms of clinical assessment, patient satisfaction, functional performance, and the biomarkers of articular cartilage metabolism. There is concern that the cartilage biomarkers remained elevated for an extended period.