Assessment of knee joint range of motion and the level of pain in patients after arthroscopic ACL reconstruction in the selected physiotherapy model

Introduction
In the majority of cases, anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injuries require specialist surgical and physiotherapeutic treatment. The fact that the patient regains a full range of flexion and extension in the knee joint as well as the reduction or elimination of pain is a significant determinant of successful physiotherapy.

Material and methods
The study included 72 randomly selected individuals with a complete ACL tear who were qualified for its surgical reconstruction. The research group included 37 patients aged 18-60 (mean age 37±10.3 years). All the participants from this group underwent physiotherapy based on recognised schemes of rehabilitation and performed for 4 weeks before the reconstruction surgery. The control group included 35 patients aged 18-60 (mean age 34±10.0 years) who did not undergo any presurgical physiotherapy programme.

Results
Both in the research group and in the control group, subsequent measurements revealed a statistically significant improvement in the range of flexion and extension (p<0.05). Statistical analysis revealed a significantly better extension 1 week and 6 weeks after the ACL reconstruction (p<0.05) in the research group. Statistically significant differences in the level of pain in patients from both groups were noted in subsequent measurements (p<0.05). Also, a statistically significant difference concerning pain assessment 12 weeks after the reconstruction was noted in the research group (p<0.05).

Conclusions
A quicker recovery of the range of extension in the operated knee joint and lower intensity of pain in the final measurement noted in the research group may indicate a certain therapeutic value of presurgical physiotherapy.