Rehabilitation Program for Patients Undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery

Abd ElKareem Moghazy Basuony, Naglaa; Mohamed Taha, Nadia; Tarek Abd Elghaffar, Mona; Kameel Zatton, Howida

doi:10.21608/ejhc.2023.356051

Rehabilitation Program for Patients Undergoing Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction Surgery

Document Type : Original Article

Authors

¹ Assistant Prof. of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University, Egypt,

² Prof. of Medical Surgical Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Zagazig University, Egypt,

³ Physiotherapist (Master's degree in physical therapy), Zagazig University Hospitals, Egypt,

10.21608/ejhc.2023.356051

Abstract

Background: The most common orthopedic operation carried out globally is anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery (ACLRs), which is still the gold standard for managing anterior cruciate ligament injury (ACLI). The success of ACLRs is influenced by effective rehabilitation, which is a crucial part of the post-ACLRs recovery process that assures a quicker recovery and helps patients resume an active lifestyle. Study aim: Evaluate the effect of the rehabilitation program on patients undergoing anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction surgery. Design: Quasi-experimental design was used. Setting: Orthopedic surgery department and orthopedic outpatient clinic at Zagazig University Hospitals, Al Sharkia Governorate, Egypt. Subject: A purposive sample of 70 adult patients with ACLI who are undergoing ACLRs. Tools: Interview questionnaire; self-care practices questionnaire; functional and clinical status rating scale. Results: There was a highly statistically significant improvement and difference in overall patients' knowledge and their self-care practices score regarding ACLRs in the post- and follow-up phases of the rehabilitation program compared to the pre-phase (p<0.001), which resulted in enhanced functional and clinical status as there was a statistically significant positive correlation of functional and clinical status improvement with knowledge and self-care practices across various program phases. Conclusions: The rehabilitation program that is based on patients' previously determined needs plays an effective role in improving knowledge and self-care practices, as well as the functional and clinical status of patients undergoing ACLRs. Recommendations: The developed rehabilitation program should be implemented on a wide scale in study settings as well as all similar ones, including all governmental hospitals.

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