Postoperative anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation: A survey in Gauteng, South Africa

South African Journal of Physiotherapy

 
 
Field Value
 
Title Postoperative anterior cruciate ligament rehabilitation: A survey in Gauteng, South Africa
 
Creator Robbertse, Colett Naidoo, Vaneshveri
 
Subject — post-operative ACL rehabilitation; ACL rehabilitation; ACL rehabilitation protocols; ACL rehabilitation management strategies; ACL rehabilitation modalities
Description Background: 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.
Objectives: 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.
Method: 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.
Results: 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).
Conclusion: Remarkable variation was found in treatment protocols, modalities and exercise prescription.
Clinical implications: Using clinical evaluation, objective outcome measures and functional tests as an objective criterion is crucial in decision-making regarding return to function and sport.
 
Publisher AOSIS
 
Contributor —
Date 2025-08-20
 
Type info:eu-repo/semantics/article info:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersion — cross-sectional survey
Format text/html application/epub+zip text/xml application/pdf application/pdf
Identifier 10.4102/sajp.v81i1.2144
 
Source South African Journal of Physiotherapy; Vol 81, No 1 (2025); 8 pages 2410-8219 0379-6175
 
Language eng
 
Relation
The following web links (URLs) may trigger a file download or direct you to an alternative webpage to gain access to a publication file format of the published article:

https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2144/3984 https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2144/3985 https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2144/3986 https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2144/3988 https://sajp.co.za/index.php/sajp/article/view/2144/3987
 
Coverage Gauteng, South Africa — —
Rights Copyright (c) 2025 Colett Robbertse, Vaneshveri Naidoo https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0
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