Knee Problems

ACL Injuries

Generally, the knee injuries that include rupture of the ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) are sporting injuries or work related injuries.

These are mostly non contact injuries and involve the foot being planted securely on the ground and the body twisting in the opposite direction. Often you will hear something pop in the knee and then there is collapse of the knee and pain, shortly followed by a lot of swelling. Commonly there are associated injuries such as meniscal (cartilage) tears or collateral ligament damage.

The ACL is the primary stabiliser of the knee and damage to it usually leaves you with a feeling of instability or a vague distrust that the knee will support you. If you are active and sporty and want to return to an active lifestyle, I will usually recommend surgery with ACL reconstruction.

The goal of surgery is to stabilise the knee and to reduce the risk of further injury to the knee due to instability

Surgery

This is done through an arthroscope and is best done after 10 days to 2 weeks after the injury but can happen at any stage after the injury with the risk being that the longer you wait and the more muscle you lose, the more chance there is of secondary injury and the longer your rehab will be.

This operation is generally done under general anaesthetic. The hamstrings are harvested from just below the knee on the inside of the leg. The camera is inserted into the knee and the damaged tissue is cleaned out of the joint. Holes are drilled into the tibia and the femur to allow us to pass the graft (Hamstring tendons). There have been recent advances and developments in this surgery in that the position that the graft takes is now more anatomical. This means that the new ligament is very close to where the original was, which makes a lot of sense. The tendons are passed over a loop with a secure button which tightens and pulls the tendon up into the femur and is tightened in the tibia with a screw. I usually use biodegradable screws that take a couple of years to dissolve.

The most important part of the operation is the rehabilitation. I recommend an step by step program which usually takes approximately 8 or 9 months. Quicker rehab programs are out there but they may not be the best thing if you have had an anatomical reconstruction . Every patient is different and it is important to complete each step before moving onto the next. Sometimes the injury won’t settle down in time to keep to this program, so use it as a guideline only and listen to your physio or biokineticist to get better idea of how you are progressing.

ACL RECONSTRUCTION REHABILITATION

ACL TIGHTROPE 4 STRAND HAMSTRING GRAFT WITH DELTA INTERFERENCE SCREW AND STAPLE

WEEK 1 TO 3

Allow knee to settle post –op. Debulking of dressing day 1 or 2

Work within pain as it allows

Aim to remove crutches and walk normally

Reduce joint swelling

Aim at achieving full extension with active and passive movements

Use:

Mobile – Ice knee pack 3-4 times a day
Quads and Hamstrings contractions at different angles of knee flexion
Patella mobs
Normal gait with full ext of knee and backsetting of knee
Early active Hamstring strengthening

WEEKS 3 TO 5

need to focus all attemp;ts on achiving full range of motion in flexion and extension, active and passive movements

cycling to get rid of swelling and loosen knee

knee cap mobilisations

WEEK 5 TO 12

Back to full activity

Reduce any persistent effusion

Full unrestricted range of motion

Proprioception and muscle strengthening & control

Use:

Mobile-Ice twice a day – morning and night
Wound massage – doesn’t matter what with
Active/ Active assisted/ passive strengthening and range of motion - 2kg Hamstring curls
Swimming – no breastroke
Persist with ROM and stretching exercises

WEEK 5& 6

More intense work
Work on endurance

Use:

As Above (3 & 4)
Increase repetitions – low resistance – Hamstring curls
Extensive stretching exercises
Cycling (stationery), Stepper, Leg press
Begin with lunges

WEEK 6 – 12

Work on balance and proprioception
Increase strength and endurance

Use:

Mobile –Ice once a day
Wobble board
Cycling +++++
Lunges, In- line hopping, squats
Begin in- line jogging on flat ground
Increase Hamstring and Quads power output
Begin with lateral stepping

WEEK 12 - 24

Prepare to return to specific activity

Use:

Incorporate agility and reaction time into proprioceptive work
Combination movements with lateral stepping, hopping, jumping etc.
Incorporate ball/other skills to remove emphasis from the knee
Aerobics classes
Increase leg strength
Sport specific