Robbertse Colett, Naidoo Vaneshveri
Department of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
S Afr J Physiother. 2025 Aug 20;81(1):2144. doi: 10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2144. eCollection 2025.
Post-operative rehabilitation is key to successful outcomes in anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) surgery. This study aimed to determine the management strategies (accelerated vs. non-accelerated protocols) and treatment modalities used by physiotherapists for post-operative ACL rehabilitation in Gauteng, South Africa.
This study determined the frequency of accelerated and non-accelerated protocols, identified rehabilitation objectives, commonly used physiotherapy modalities and exercise recommendations within the first 6 weeks of post-operative ACL rehabilitation.
A cross-sectional study was carried out between 15 December 2021 and 27 May 2022, using a custom-designed questionnaire. The survey was initially distributed to members of the South African Society of Physiotherapy (SASP) and Physiotherapy Association of South Africa (PASA), as well as shared on social media platforms. Data collection was completed in 6 months. Descriptive statistics (frequencies means and percentages) were analysed.
Out of 120 responses received, 47% (56) were analysed. Management strategies included the accelerated and non-accelerated programmes: 70% (39) of the participants used the accelerated protocol and 23% (13) used the non-accelerated protocol. Furthermore, 59% used protective bracing as part of their management and 66% (37) started rehabilitation post-operatively. Treatment modalities used included myofascial release (75%, 41), peripheral joint mobilisation (63%, 35), massage (57%, 32) and cryotherapy (34%, 19).
Remarkable variation was found in treatment protocols, modalities and exercise prescription.
Using clinical evaluation, objective outcome measures and functional tests as an objective criterion is crucial in decision-making regarding return to function and sport.
术后康复是前交叉韧带（ACL）手术成功的关键。本研究旨在确定南非豪登省物理治疗师用于术后ACL康复的管理策略（加速方案与非加速方案）和治疗方式。
本研究确定了加速方案和非加速方案的使用频率，明确了术后ACL康复前6周内的康复目标、常用物理治疗方式及运动建议。
于2021年12月15日至2022年5月27日进行了一项横断面研究，采用定制问卷。该调查最初分发给南非物理治疗师协会（SASP）和南非物理治疗协会（PASA）的成员，并在社交媒体平台上分享。数据收集在6个月内完成。对描述性统计数据（频率、均值和百分比）进行了分析。
在收到的120份回复中，分析了47%（56份）。管理策略包括加速方案和非加速方案：70%（39名）参与者使用加速方案，23%（13名）使用非加速方案。此外，59%将保护性支具作为管理的一部分，66%（37名）在术后开始康复。使用的治疗方式包括肌筋膜放松（75%，41例）、外周关节松动术（63%，35例）、按摩（57%，32例）和冷冻疗法（34%，19例）。
在治疗方案、方式和运动处方方面发现了显著差异。
在决定恢复功能和运动时，以临床评估、客观结果测量和功能测试作为客观标准至关重要。
