# Effect of stump-preserving arthroscopic reconstruction or stump-eliminating arthroscopic reconstruction combined with exercise rehabilitation therapy on knee functional recovery in patients with anterior cruciate ligament injuries

## TL;DR

This study compares two ACL reconstruction methods combined with rehabilitation to see which improves knee recovery better.

## Contribution

The study introduces a comparison of stump-preserving versus stump-eliminating ACLR combined with rehabilitation for functional recovery.

## Key findings

- Stump-preserving ACLR combined with rehabilitation improved knee mobility and proprioception more significantly.
- Both methods reduced pain and swelling, but the observation group showed more improvement.
- Postoperative complication rates were similar between the two groups.

## Abstract

The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of stump-preserving arthroscopic anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction (ACLR) combined with exercise rehabilitation therapy on knee functional recovery in patients with ACL injuries.

Patients with ACL injuries (n = 120) were randomly divided into an observation group (60 patients; stump-preserving ACLR) or a control group (60 patients; stump-eliminating ACLR) using the randomised numerical table method. Both groups underwent a 12-week postoperative exercise rehabilitation treatment. Pain, swelling and range of motion (ROM) were recorded. Before reconstruction, and at 3, 6 and 12 months after reconstruction, proprioception was assessed by threshold to detection of passive motion (TTDPM) and passive angle regeneration test, and knee function was assessed using Lysholm and International Knee Documentation Committee (IKDC) function scores. Postoperative complications were recorded in both groups.

After ACLR, in both groups, pain and swelling were reduced, the ROM of knee flexion, extension, internal rotation and external rotation increased, the TTDPM and passive angle regeneration test results were reduced, and the Lysholm and IKDC function scores were increased. More significant improvements were seen in the observation group. The incidence of postoperative complications in the observation group was 13.33% (8 of 60), less than the 15.00% (9 of 60) in the control group (p > 0.05).

Arthroscopic stump-preserving ACLR combined with exercise rehabilitation therapy can significantly reduce postoperative pain and swelling in patients with ACL injuries and improve postoperative knee mobility and proprioception.