Does preoperative rehabilitation give better shortterm results inanterior cruciate ligament reconstruction?

Introduction:To compare the results of preoperative rehabilitation group and standard rehabilitation protocols in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction in a day care unit. Materials and Methods:41 patients with anterior cruciate ligament tear were randomly assigned to either standard or preoperative rehabilitation group.Follow up done after 3,6,12 and 24 weeks after reconstruction.Outcome measures included,Lysholm score,IKDC scale and range of motion. Data analysed with SPSS software version 13.1.A probability level of p <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Out of 41 patients, 21 patients were under standard and 20 were under preoperative group.There was significant difference in range of motion at 3 and 6 weeks in preoperative rehabilitation group compared to standard group but no difference at 3 and 6 months. Conclusion: Rehabilitation before surgery is advocated to improve the early functional outcomes at 3 and 6 weeks.