The study investigates the impact of preoperative rehabilitation on the outcomes of patients who have undergone Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction surgery. The ACL is a key ligament in the knee, and its injury often requires surgical intervention. Preoperative rehabilitation, also known as “prehabilitation,“ is a strategy aimed at improving surgical outcomes and speeding up recovery.

The study is a retrospective cohort study that involved 106 patients who underwent ACL reconstruction surgery. The patients were divided into two groups: those who received preoperative rehabilitation (the “prehab“ group) and those who did not (the “no-prehab“ group). The prehab group underwent a 6-week preoperative rehabilitation program. The primary outcome measures were postoperative pain, knee function, and return to sport.

The study found that the prehab group had significantly better outcomes in terms of postoperative pain, knee function, and return to sport compared to the no-prehab group. The prehab group reported less pain, better knee function, and a quicker return to sport.

The results of this study suggest that preoperative rehabilitation can significantly improve postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery. This aligns with the findings of several prospective randomized controlled studies and meta-analyses on the subject. For instance, a meta-analysis by Smith et al. (2016) found that preoperative rehabilitation significantly improved postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing various types of orthopedic surgery, including ACL reconstruction. Similarly, a randomized controlled trial by Valkering et al. (2017) found that preoperative rehabilitation improved knee function and reduced postoperative pain in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction.

In conclusion, preoperative rehabilitation appears to be a beneficial strategy for improving postoperative outcomes in patients undergoing ACL reconstruction surgery. Further research, including prospective randomized controlled trials, is needed to confirm these findings and to determine the optimal preoperative rehabilitation program for these patients.