A research report submitted to the Faculty of Health Sciences,
University of Witwatersrand, Johannesburg
in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the
degree of Master of Science in Physiotherapy. / The purpose of this retrospective study was to assess the Subjective, objective and
functional results of intra-articular anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstructions using
the patellar tendon. The subjects of one orthopaedic surgeon were assessed to eliminate
surgical variability. Twenty active males, aged 20 - 35 were assessed twelve to forty eight
months post-operatively. Each subject completed a questionnaire and underwent
various functional and subjective tests.
Eighteen subjects (90 %) were satisfied with the outcome of their operation. Fourteen
(70%) complained of intermittent pain or discomfort. Six (30%) complained of some
form of post-operative giving way. Nineteen (95 %) had returned to sporting activity but
most modified their sport or level of participation.
Knee stability was restored post-operatively. Nineteen (95%) had a side-to-side
difference of three rnillimetres (mm) or less on Lachman testing and eighteen (90 %) a
side-to-side difference of 3mm or less on anterior drawer testing. Thirteen (65 %) had
a 3mm or less side-to-side difference on KT1000 testing at 20 pounds (lbs) and 14 (70%)
a side-to-side difference of 3mm or less on manual maximum testing.
Isokinetic muscle testing revealed persistent quadriceps deficits greater than 20 % in
seven subjects (35%) and three (15%) had similar hamstring deficits.
Various factors may affect post-operative function. These include the length of
rehabilitation, pain, residual quadriceps weakness and restoration of stability. / AC2018
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:netd.ac.za/oai:union.ndltd.org:wits/oai:wiredspace.wits.ac.za:10539/24510 |
| Date | January 1998 |
| Creators | Fleishman, Caren. |
| Source Sets | South African National ETD Portal |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | Thesis |
| Format | application/pdf |
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