Physiotherapy Rehabilitation Management on Phase I of Post Operative Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Case Report

Background: An anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR) phase I is critical for the patient to improve knee pain and range of motion (ROM), knee functions, and prevent excessive inflammation and muscle atrophy. This study aims to evaluate the physiotherapy interventions to improve the pain, ROM, muscle atrophy, and knee function following ACLR phase I. Case Description: In July 2022, a 22-year-old female basketball athlete injured her right knee while running-pivoting movement during practice. The patient received ACLR on September 22, 2022, following an MRI and physiotherapy examinations. On October 14, 2022, the patient began receiving three times physiotherapy programs weekly. Until November 11, 2022, she complained of having trouble bending and straightening her knee. Although there was no increment in leg muscle circumference of 20 cm above the right patella (RP), there were increments in muscle circumferences of 1.3 cm at 10 cm above the RP, 1.1 cm at 5 cm above the RP, 1.2 cm at 10 cm below the RP, and 1.5 cm at 20 cm below the RP. After three times interventions, we found changes 5o of knee flexion, 2 points of tenderness VAS, 5-28 points of KOOS score, and 10 points of Lysholm’s score. Conclusion: The physiotherapy interventions improved the pain, ROM, leg muscle circumference, and knee function in the ACLR phase I patient. This case report study could be a reference for further experimental study.