Journal of Clinical & Experimental Orthopaedics

Comparison of Functional Outcome with and without Early Bracing Post ACL Reconstruction

Objective: To compare the outcome with and without functional knee bracing post arthroscopic ACLR in 100 patients.

Study design: Prospective randomized comparative study. Level of evidence: Level 1.

Material and methods: Patients who meet the inclusion and exclusion criteria underwent arthroscopic ACL reconstruction using hamstring graft. Patients were randomized into two groups-study group (with brace) and control group (without brace). The study group was given a functional knee brace round the clock except while doing Rehab exercises and bathing post-operatively for a period of 6 weeks. Other than the use of braces, the rehabilitation protocol was same for both the groups. Patients were followed up at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 months following surgery with help of Lysholm score, IKDC score and Tegner activity levels.

Results: Out of all the patients, only 4 patients (2 each in study and control group) were not available for follow up at 6 months. No complications of graft failure, infection, reinjury, DVT, vascular or neurological injuries were seen. The average Lysholm score of the study group and control group at 6 weeks was found to be 76 and 78. At 3 months the average scores improved to 82 and 81.92 and at 6 months the scores were 96.76 and 96.92. The average IKDC score of the study group and control group was found to be 74.18 and 74 at 6 weeks, 82.14 and 82.6 at 3 months, 96.76 and 90.06 at 6 months. The average Tegner activity level of the study group and control group was found to be 1.4 and 2 at 6 weeks, improved to 3.14 and 3.22 at 3 months and the average scores at 6 months were 5.08 and 5.34 in the two groups. The Lysholm, Tegner and IKDC of both groups were found to be comparable. The p-values at 6 weeks, 3 months and 6 month of Lysholm, Tegner and IKDC scores were not significant (>0.05)

Conclusion: The prospective, randomized study comparing patients post ACLR with and without a functional brace fail to show any statistically significant difference at 6 months follow up.

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