Date of Award

1998

Document Type

Scholarly Project

Degree Name

Master of Physical Therapy (MPT)

Department

Physical Therapy

First Advisor

Renee Mabey

Keywords

Anterior Cruciate Ligament -- surgery

Abstract

This study was conducted to assist St. Alexius Medical Center's Institute of Sports Medicine in the analysis of physical therapy outcomes for patients who underwent anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction. A retrospective review of data gathered by the physical therapists at this facility was performed and statistically analyzed to ascertain the clinical and functional effectiveness of treatment. This outcomes analysis will assist in illumination of practice patterns and provide a measure of clinical effectiveness for The St. Alexius Institute of Sports Medicine. The results of this study will be useful as an internal measure as well as an informative tool for substantiating treatment to third party payers.

Satisfactory longitudinal outcomes (one year post surgery) were found in the vast majority of clinical parameters analyzed. On average, knee range of motion measurements were within normal limits and protocol goals. Knee laxity displayed acceptable anterior displacement values indicating ACL graft stability. Cybex isokinetic testing revealed strength gains in quadriceps and hamstrings throughout the rehabilitation period and values for peak torque, total work, and hamstring to quadriceps ratio were all within protocol goals and comparable to preceding studies. Subject assessment of function during daily activities was highly rated and objective functional hopping test scores indicated stability, coordination, and proprioception in the surgical extremity. Questionable outcomes requiring further research were found in the isokinetic measurement of quadriceps peak torque to body weight ratio and number of clinical visits.

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