A Case Study of ACL Reconstructions and Rehabilitation Procedures

Abstract

In observing the patient proceed through the aggressive protocol I noticed that some proceeded at a faster rate than others. From my point of view as an observer, I found that the patients who were slower to full recovery were the ones who didn't push themselves. They just seemed to go through the motions and not try to overcome their present threshold of pain. On the other hand, the patients who showed a speedier recovery time were the ones who pushed themselves past their threshold of pain. With this observation I asked the physical therapist if there was anything that he could further do to help speed up the recovery time. His response was that it is hard to control the rate at which the body heals itself. Rather than telling the patient they were not working hard enough, he told them that they were moving along on schedule and showing progress. He then told me that some patients lack the motivation to get back to a hundred percent and that there wasn't much that he could do. It would eventually get to a point where the patient would seem to be making no more progress and then he would have to set them out on their own leaving it up to them. Thus, rehabilitation can not only be tough physically but mentally as well. What conclusions can be drawn from all of this? I think it is safe to say that the rehabilitation process of the knee is a complex one at that. There are two protocols out on the market now with a third protocol being introduced. A choice must be made as to which protocol is going to be used and that choice must be made according to which is the best for the patient. Some patients may choose not to follow their rehabilitation or put that much effort into it. Those patients are the ones that will take longer to heal. However, with hard work and the correct protocol the patient will be on the field again in no time.