Treatment Approach to Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries

This report outlines the treatment approach to anterior cruciate ligament injuries to include the diagnosis, preoperative rehabilitation and planning for surgery, the surgical technique, postoperative rehabilitation, and the return to full activities. The use of a patellar tendon graft allows for reliable and predictable knee stability postoperatively. Many meniscus tears and chondral defects observed during anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction are asymptomatic and may not require treatment. Rehabilitation should be provided to allow for immediate full knee hyperextension and flexion, because the lack of normal knee range of motion is a preventable factor related to lower patient satisfaction in the long term. Most patients are able to return to full participation in sports, and the time of return to sports does not affect the incidence of subsequent injury.